Fixing the Contradictions of Doctoral Education
Dr. Toby Erik Wikström
The Graduate School | Faculty of Languages & Cultures
University of Iceland
tew@hi.is
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My objective
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My vantage point on doctoral education
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Three contradictions in doctoral education
1. There is a mismatch between ideal and actual PhD career paths.
2. PhDs are often perceived as superfluous to labor market requirements, yet society needs PhDs more than ever.
3. PhD supervisors have received extensive training in their academic field but often no training in supervision.
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Contradiction 1
There is a mismatch between ideal and actual PhD career paths.
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Possible solution: IDPs
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Possible solution: launch a PhD Alumni Database
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Contradiction 2
PhDs are often perceived as superfluous to labor market requirements, yet society needs PhDs more than ever.
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Discourse of glut, overproduction – and therefore perceived uselessness
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Yet society needs PhDs more than ever: thought leaders solving „wicked problems“ in interdisciplinary teams
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Yet society needs PhDs more than ever: thought leaders solving „wicked problems“ in interdisciplinary teams
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Possible solution: train PhDs to be „wicked scientists“
Training wicked scientists
1. Tackle wicked problems using a systems-thinking approach that considers the political roles, interests, and perspectives of stakeholders.
2. Collaborate effectively with stakeholders and team members with diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and ways of knowing.
3. Communicate scientific research and ideas to diverse audiences and through different modalities.
Possible solution: communicate the value of PhD to society through public outreach
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Contradiction 3
3. PhD supervisors have received extensive training in their academic field but often no training in supervision.
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Possible solution: set up peer-centered supervisor training programs
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Fixing the contradictions of doctoral education
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Contradiction | Solution |
1. Mismatch between ideal and actual PhD career paths. | IDP PhD Alumni Database |
2. PhDs are often perceived as superfluous to labor market requirements, yet society needs PhDs more than ever. | Public outreach through wicked science, 3MTs |
3. PhD supervisors have received extensive training in their academic field but often no training in supervision. | Peer-centered supervisor training |
Fixing the Contradictions of Doctoral Education
Dr. Toby Erik Wikström
The Graduate School | Faculty of Languages & Cultures
University of Iceland
tew@hi.is
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