The dearth of data on PhD access, experiences and careers in the UK

Posted on 12 December 2019

Dr Sally Hancock and Professor Paul Wakeling have been busy promoting research concerning the methods of tracking doctoral access, experiences and outcomes.

October 2019 saw a working paper titled '21st Century PhDs: Why we need better methods of tracking doctoral access, experiences and outcomes' published by Dr Hancock, Professor Wakeling & Jennifer Chubb concerning closing knowledge gaps relating to the quality of evidence and data about PhD students and graduates.

This was launched to coincide with the new Research on Research Institute, a partnership between the University of Sheffield, The Wellcome Trust, Leiden University and the technology firm Digital Science. Dr Hancock spoke at this event on an international panel that focused on research careers, chaired by Professor Koen Lamberts with Professor Dame Athene Donald as the discussant.

Since the publication of the working paper and Dr Hancock’s participation at the research careers event, quite a bit of interest and debate has been prompted. Some highlights of the coverage include features in the Times Higher Education and WonkHE. Dr Hancock participated in a Q&A with the UK Council for Graduate Education, and following this she and Professor Wakeling wrote a comment piece for WonkHE together.

More recently Dr Hancock and Professor Wakeling have a blog piece featured in the LSE Impact Blog titled 'To make PhDs fit for the 21st century we need to develop evidence based policies'.

A huge congratulations from everyone at CRESJ for this research and all the exposure it has received!