EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS: PERSPECTIVE FROM DOCTORAL EDUCATION

Melita KovacevicUNICA Steering Committee Member EUA CDE Steering Committee Chair

University of Zagreb Former Vice-Rector for Research and Technology

University of Zagreb

Coimbra Group High-level Seminar, 30 and 31 October 2014, Venice International University, San Servolo

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Topics:

Look in the past – how it used to be Some facts and figures What is important – today and tomorrow

University of Zagreb

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Some features:

doctoral students (1:1) prevailing academic career long-lasting process doctoral education limited age of graduates; 'cloning'of new doctors

University of Zagreb

Past

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University of Zagreb

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 201080,000

90,000

100,000

110,000

120,000

Growth in PhD graduations EU

Source: EurostatNote: estimated 2010 and 2004 data for EU

Growth in doctorates in Europe

Facts and figures

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Some relevant features:

doctoral programmes, doctoral schools institutional responsibility 3-4 years’ duration significantly increased number of doctoral candidates the role of doctoral candidates redefined

University of Zagreb

Facts and figures

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A new role:

doctoral candidates early stage researchers professionals significantly contributing to overall institutional

research productivity very international

University of Zagreb

Today and tomorrow

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Therefore:

should be employed (EURODOC) not to be perceived (and treated) as students

(controversy?) to be prepared for the 'life after' to be trained for other skills ( other than research

itself)

University of Zagreb

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What is important?

to prepare new doctors for different career paths to prepare them and enable to create new jobs; self

employment to help them develop new skills institutional

responsibility

University of Zagreb

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What is important to nurture?

intersectorial education interdisciplinarity team work

University of Zagreb

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employment of PhD holders

significant differences across Europe, globally

University of Zagreb

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European Charter for Researchers

The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers

European Commission

University of Zagreb

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University of Zagreb

Share of university-based researchers satisfied with the extent to which research job vacancies are publicly advertised and made known by their institution, Europe, 2012 (%) Source: MORE2 Study

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Who needs to be aware?

institutions directors/heads of doctoral schools/programmes supervisors doctoral candidates

University of Zagreb

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University of Zagreb

Thank you!