The Doctorate as Experience in Europe and Beyond

The Doctorate as Experience in Europe and Beyond presents a detailed and fascintating account of completing a doctorate from the perspectives of researchers, supervisors and students. It provides an in-depth insight through qualitative data, interpretative methods and insider experiences for a truly unique perspective. Given the popularity of doctoral studies and their increasing importance outside of academia, the PhD has needed to evolve and develop, particularly given its role in the internationalization of universities. Drawing on in-depth interviews with international participants, this book explores case studies and comparative analysis of the dimensions of researcher identity, the processes of supervision and the use of languages for teaching and learning and conducting research. Providing a keen insight into how the internationalization of higher education is affecting the doctoral experience, The Doctorate as Experience in Europe and Beyond is ideal reading for all academics, doctoral supervisors and examiners as well as postgraduate students involved in doctoral education.

Michael Byram is Professor Emeritus at Durham University, UK. Maria Stoicheva is Professor and Jean Monnet Chair at Sofia University, Bulgaria.

Introduction. Part I - Case studies. 1. University of Aveiro, Portugal. 2 Durham University, United Kingdom. 3. Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. 4. University of Luxembourg. 5. Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria. 6. Beijing Language and Culture University, China. Part II - Comparative studies. 7. The role of supervision in doctoral education - a transversal perspective. 8. The role of language and languages in doctoral education - a transversal perspective. 9. Doctoral studies, research excellence and European identity. Afterword.