Craig McNeile’s Post

All things considered, there is benefit to adopting a more structured approach to PhD assessment. It is high time that PhD education caught up with changes that are now mainstream at most other levels of education. That must start with a closer partnership between education researchers, PhD supervisors and organizers of doctoral-training programmes in universities. This partnership will benefit everyone — PhD supervisors and doctoral students coming into the research workforce, whether in universities or elsewhere. Education and training in research has entered many secondary schools, along with undergraduate teaching, which is a good thing. In the spirit of mutual learning, research doctoral supervisors, too, will benefit by going back to school.

What does a PhD involve? A standard PhD degree is typically split into three stages. A three-year PhD may follow this pattern: #First year - You'll meet with your supervisor to discuss your research proposal and agree an action plan with deadlines. You'll then complete your literature review, in which you'll evaluate and critique existing works to inform the direction of your project and ensure that your research will be original. #Second year - Your focus will shift to gathering results and developing your thesis, and potentially begin writing chapters of your thesis. You may also present your results and ideas at academic conferences, gain teaching experience, collaborate with other students on similar projects, communicate the benefits of your research to the general public through workshops, lectures and presentations, or submit work for publication in an academic journal or book. #Third year - Primarily involves writing your thesis, though your research may still be in progress. After your supervisor gives their approval, you'll submit your thesis before undertaking a one to three-hour oral exam (viva voce) in which you'll discuss and defend your thesis in the presence of at least one internal and external examiner. #Question: Does a PhD require specialisation? I'm particularly interested in hearing from colleagues in the UK...

5 Questions to Ask Before Deciding to Study for a PhD In a word, you will have to handle a significant amount of uncertainty, and many times, it won't be so easy to deal with. Any doctoral programme teaches you the valuable lesson to focus on little but constant progress.

🎓 Rethinking PhD Admission Criteria: Beyond Standardized TestsIn the pursuit of academic excellence, we must prioritize genuine research potential over standardized test scores. A PhD isn't just about passing exams; it's about making a significant contribution to knowledge. Let's move away from the one-size-fits-all approach and focus on evaluating the quality and significance of research proposals. This shift will ensure that doctoral programs attract candidates who are truly passionate about advancing their fields. It's time for a change. Let's uphold the integrity and quality of doctoral education by reevaluating our admission criteria. #PhD #HigherEducation #ResearchQuality

Before enrolling in a PhD program, consider the numbers at the institution: If a university, college, or institute has over 1,000 scholars waiting for a PhD, at least six scholars should be defending their theses daily, or at least 125 scholars should be doing so monthly. Otherwise, clearing a backlog of 1,000 scholars will take a long time, especially as 700-800 new scholars are added each year.

Curious about research during your undergraduate studies? Check out Roadmap for Research! What is Roadmap for Research? Roadmap for Research is a guided, 10-15 hour, non-credit pathway to help students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate their first undergraduate research project. The program can normally be completed over 2 academic terms (e.g. fall/winter) but is flexible to accommodate a busy student schedule. The program requires students to attend a minimum of 9 seminars (5 mandatory, 4 elective), from four modules: ◾ Module 1: Undergraduate research basics ◾ Module 2: Skills for research ◾ Module 3: Disseminating your research ◾ Module 4: Beyond undergraduate research Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gdr7mKW6

This marks a notable positive change. It's certainly a cause for celebration within the scientific community, but is it enough? I would argue it's not. "Postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers have been advocating for higher pay for the past two years through a campaign called Support Our Science. They requested an increase in the value, and number, of federal government scholarships, and got more than they asked for. Stipends for master’s students will rise from Can$17,500 (US$12,700) to $27,000 per year, PhDs stipends that ranged from $20,000 to $35,000 will be set to a uniform annual $40,000 and most postdoctoral-fellowship salaries will increase from $45,000 to $70,000 per annum. The number of scholarships and fellowships provided will also rise over time, building to around 1,720 more per year after five years." https://lnkd.in/g9dbursC

Pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a significant academic endeavor that goes beyond the acquisition of advanced knowledge in a specific field. It represents a commitment to research, critical thinking, and the advancement of human understanding. Earning a PhD can profoundly impact both personal and professional aspects of an individual’s life. Here’s how a PhD helps in various ways:

As a PhD student, how seriously would you take the research of an undergraduate student? In my experience at UCI I found that undergrads performing their OWN research (not working under a grad student) were often performing research at a higher level than the average PhD student in that same department. Most PhD students do research as undergrads under the tutelage of a grad student. These are the average PhD bound students who then became average PhD students. The undergrads doing their OWN research are usually, but not always, the above-average PhD bound students. Those average PhD bound undergrads that all of a sudden became actual PhD students don’t up their brilliance, they just get a new title. The other undergrads are usually still brighter. #UnderGrad #PhD #Student #Projects

Stipend of PhD Scholars Most BSchools pay stipend to their PhD scholars for 3-4 years. Considering that the first year goes in coursework, it leaves just scholars with 2-3 years to complete their PhD with stipend. Most scholars take up jobs as permanent or guest faculty to sustain themselves further delaying the completion of their thesis. A PhD programme typically takes 4-7 years with the average being 5 years. Considering this colleges should look to extend the stipend payment to at least 5 years. #phd #stipend #academics #research #strategy #management #phdjourney