The 2022 European University Association’s Council for Doctoral Education (EUA-CDE) Annual Meeting took place at The University of Manchester between 22-24 June 2022.
EUA-CDE Annual Meetings have become the largest and most comprehensive gatherings of academic leaders, senior academics, doctoral education professionals, postdoctoral researchers, doctoral candidates, and other stakeholders working on doctoral education and research training.
The 2022 EUA-CDE Annual Meeting focused on future trends and the diversity of the doctoral candidate population. A new paper outlining a vision on doctoral education, developed together with the EUA-CDE member community, was launched at the Meeting.
The new agenda for doctoral research is embodied in ten principles or ‘Ways Forward’ set out in a document called Building the Foundations of Research – a Vision for the Future of Doctoral Education in Europe.
Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Luke Georghiou, who is Chair of the Council’s steering committee, said there was increasing concern about the availability of funding during the latter stages of a PhD. He commented: “As people reach the crucial writing-up phase, they often run off the end of their funding and begin to struggle at exactly the point they need help.”
Without sufficient attention to this problem, he said that universities could find it increasingly hard to recruit high-calibre PhD students - “There is a problem looming – in most countries, there is a tradition of people accepting low incomes while they do their doctorates, but there is a limit to what they will take.”
In its workshops and sessions, the meeting also examined future trends and the diversity of the doctoral candidate population.
“I am delighted that our University has been able to host this event,” said Prof Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester. “During these times of change, challenge and opportunity, the meeting provides the ideal opportunity for higher education leaders in Europe to meet, reflect and engage in discussions.”