What is it about?
As doctoral attainment expands globally, this article explores what PhDs are useful for today and examines their growing significance for diverse careers. It sheds light on the challenges faced by PhD holders, including precarious academic roles and the need for doctoral education to adapt to non-academic career paths.
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Why is it important?
Doctoral education is expanding rapidly worldwide, yet the traditional academic career path can no longer accommodate all PhD holders. This work addresses the timely question of what a PhD is truly useful for in today’s knowledge economies. By highlighting the challenges and opportunities for PhD graduates within and beyond academia, it sheds light on the pressing need for doctoral education to adapt to prepare graduates for diverse careers. This perspective not only informs academic policymakers but also offers valuable insights for prospective doctoral candidates and employers, ultimately shaping how we view the future of research training.
Perspectives
Writing this article allowed me to delve into the challenges and opportunities facing PhD holders today. It’s a topic close to my heart, not only because of my work in higher education policy but also due to my personal experiences as a researcher and mentor. I hope this piece encourages reflection on how we value doctoral education and challenges traditional notions of academic success. More importantly, I hope it inspires action to better support the diverse paths PhD graduates take, ultimately ensuring their contributions enrich both academia and society at large.
Cláudia Sarrico
CIPES
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: What Is a PhD Useful for?, November 2024, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004713901_054.
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