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Mobility patterns of doctoral researchers-Comparison between countries and disciplines

At the Bologna SeminarFrom Imbalanced to Balanced Mobility in the EHEA –

Current Challenges and Perspectives for the Future

Snežana Krstić & Daniel MietchenBerlin, March 28, 2011

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EURODOC in Europe

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EUROPEAN COUNCIL OF DOCTORALCANDIDATES AND JUNIOR RESEARCHERS

• Voice of young researchers in Europe• Promotes young researchers• Contributes to EHEA and ERA policies

• Partner of EC, EUA, Euroscience, ESOF

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Eurodoc on a Map

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EURODOC survey on doctoral candidates

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• Purpose: o Exploring the real situation concerning current

conditions related to mobility, career development, assessment of doctoral programme and working conditions

o Supporting Eurodoc policy activities with empirical evidenceo Exploring the differences between countries, cultures and

models of doctoral education • About 100,000 respondents from over 30 countries• The first survey of doctoral researchers on this

scale – in cooperation with the International Centre for Higher Education Research at the University of Kassel. • Previous surveys are mainly country reports or focused only on

some topics• http://www.eurodoc.net/workgroups/surveys/

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The professional reasons for going abroad – Part 1

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Preliminary results; official presentation at Eurodoc 2011

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The professional reasons for going abroad – Part 2

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Pursuing doctorate abroad

21.3% (22% female and 19.9% male)

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The most important sources of funding

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Scholarships 63.3%Employment 46.1%Personal savings 21.4%

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The most important sources of funding

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Personal reasons for mobility – Part 1

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Better career prospects 79.7%Cooperation with prominent scientists 75.9%Better research facilities abroad 75.2%

…

Professional plans of family membersBetter social security

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Personal reasons for mobility – Part 2

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Personal reasons for mobility – Part 3

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Other obstaclesrecognized by Eurodoc

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Recruitment proceduresNot efficient and not transparent

The European Charter for Researchers andThe Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code)

Low awareness on Charter & CodeLess then 9%

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Intention to move or stay abroad (geographical distribution)

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Yes 30.9%No 21.6%

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Intention to move or stay abroad (disciplinary distribution)

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Doctoral research at the intersectionOf EHEA and ERA

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In the ERA and many member countries, there is a focus on sharpening the research profile of a region.

Research spending varies widely across reginos and countries.

This means that researchers in different disciplines will be differently attracted to a given region.

A certain level of imbalances is inevitable.

What level of balance should we strive for?

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Mobility for mobility's sake?Some personal comments

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Reconsider virtual (and blended) mobility.I could have given this talk remotelyOthers could have joined in remotely

Some programs count international experience in terms of (post-graduate) years abroad.

But much international experience can be gained at home while cooperating with others over the web or taking web-based international courses.

International experience does not guarantee a permanent position in public research.

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Conclusions

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Geographical and disciplinary differences in mobility pattern exist

Unsuitable recruitment procedures are an obstacle to mobility and career prospects

Awareness on Charter & Code should be improved

Start thinking about virtual mobility

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For more information, please, visit our webpage:

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or contact us at:board@eurodoc.net

The presentation is based on the one for the 4th EUA-CDE workshop,

Budapest, Jan 2011