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Research Councils UK (RCUK) has launched a new study to examine the economic impact of doctoral training with PhD graduates from 2004-05, as part of a larger programme of longitudinal tracking of doctoral graduates.
The aim of the study is to better understand the career pathways of doctoral graduates over the medium to long term, their impact in employment, and how their skills contribute to innovation and the competitiveness of the UK.
It will look at the vibrancy of the research base and the contribution of doctoral graduates across the economy, not just in academic fields, examining a range of career destinations and how their careers are developing. This will also inform guidance for researchers of career choices.
Professor Rick Rylance, Chair of RCUK, said: “Supporting the achievements of PhD researchers, including their economic impact, is a key objective across RCUK. Having this information helps to establish the extent to which doctoral training drives innovation and growth as many claim.
“Existing studies only look at the career paths of doctoral graduates after three years, but this study will take this much further, looking at a seven year period to provide more evidence that is vital to inform decisions on future investment in doctoral training.”
The research will include short online and telephones interviews with doctoral graduates, which will be released in spring 2013. Doctoral supervisors, research centres, alumni offices and other networks will be contacted about the study to help us to identify and make contact with as many graduates from the 2004-05 cohort as possible. We may also include graduates from 2003-04 and 2005-06.
The findings of the study will be published by the end of 2013 and will develop a sustainable research tool that could be used again to help fill gaps in evidence. The data will be made available to others through the UK Data Archive.
RCUK, together with the UK funding councils, have commissioned the research consultancy CFE to carry out the study in partnership with the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) and Sheffield University.
To get involved or to find out more about the project, visit www.cfe.org.uk/doctoralimpactstudy and read the RCUK blog.
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Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education funding bodies, business, government, and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
CFE (Research and Consulting) Ltd are research and consultancy specialists in education (FE and HE), employment and skills. We are a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, led by a Board of executive and non-executive members. We have been providing our expert services to public and private sector clients for over 15 years. With our team of dedicated research professionals, we work on behalf of government departments and agencies, local authorities, colleges, universities and the private sector.
CFE has a strong track record in higher education research including widening participation, graduate employability, employer engagement and student choice. We have conducted a range of significant research projects on behalf of HEFCE and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, as well as for the NUS, Aimhigher and Lifelong Learning Networks. www.cfe.org.uk