Research in educational Research in educational programs: Doctoral programs: Doctoral

programsprograms

EUEU CEIBAL project, TbilisiCEIBAL project, TbilisiOctober 2010October 2010

October 26, 2010

Alban Richard, Professor emeritus, UPMF, Grenoblealban.richard3@aliceadsl.fr

IntroductionIntroductionResearch and Doctoral programs in Europe have changed a lot during the Research and Doctoral programs in Europe have changed a lot during the

last decade and are still in a transition period. The main drivers have last decade and are still in a transition period. The main drivers have been:been:

• Bologna Process: extension to Doctoral Programs (3rd cycle) of the Bologna Process: extension to Doctoral Programs (3rd cycle) of the main principles (Learning Outcomes and Dublin Descriptors, better main principles (Learning Outcomes and Dublin Descriptors, better employability, common standards and guidelines, ECTS, QA schemes employability, common standards and guidelines, ECTS, QA schemes …)…)

• EU Policies: European Research Area (ERA), support for European EU Policies: European Research Area (ERA), support for European University Association (EUA) and other initiatives (Tuning 3, University Association (EUA) and other initiatives (Tuning 3, EURODOC…), European Qualifications Framework (AQF): Doctorate as EURODOC…), European Qualifications Framework (AQF): Doctorate as the 7th and highest level of qualificationthe 7th and highest level of qualification

• Challenges of global competition: European growth based on Challenges of global competition: European growth based on knowledge economies (European Council of Barcelona, 2002), with a knowledge economies (European Council of Barcelona, 2002), with a 3% goal for Research to ensure European competitiveness3% goal for Research to ensure European competitiveness

Changes concern all the aspects of the Doctorate:Changes concern all the aspects of the Doctorate:• Institutional organization of doctoral programsInstitutional organization of doctoral programs• New standards and guidelines of a doctorateNew standards and guidelines of a doctorate• Content of doctoral studiesContent of doctoral studies

After a brief description of principles and changes (realized or proposed), After a brief description of principles and changes (realized or proposed), I’ll present the example of the University of Social Sciences (UPMF) of I’ll present the example of the University of Social Sciences (UPMF) of Grenoble. Grenoble.

Principles of Doctoral Programs (from Principles of Doctoral Programs (from EUA):EUA):

• Advance knowledge by contribution to original research + employability;

• Meet new challenges and prepare for career perspectives;• Respect diversity on the basis of Quality and sound

practice;• Acknowledge that doctoral candidates are early stage

researchers;• Set an appropriate timeframe for a doctorate;• Guarantee transparent arrangements for supervision and

assessment;• Achieve critical mass for Doctorate Programs through

cooperation;• Develop innovative structures to accommodate

interdisciplinary study and training of transferable skills;• Offer possibilities for mobility and international

cooperation;• Ensure appropriate and sustainable funding for doctoral

studies.

Institutional OrganizationInstitutional Organization (cf. EUA report)(cf. EUA report)

Trend towards structured programs & doctoral/ research/graduate schools: “Doctoral/ graduate/ research school is an independent organizational unit with a clear effective administration, strong leadership and specific funding supporting this structure”

Different models:• master students & doctoral candidates, with crosscutting

administrative support & transferable skills development• doctoral candidates only, often organized around a

discipline or research theme, may involve several institutions

Advantages:• achieves critical mass & provides a stimulating research

environment;• Enhances interdisciplinarity & inter-institutional

collaboration

Standards and guidelinesStandards and guidelines (from EUA and EURODOC (from EUA and EURODOC report)report)

Access and admission:

• Importance of flexibility in admission procedures – provided fairness and transparency is ensured – a question of institutional autonomy

• The Master level, with its growing diversity, remains the main, but not the only entry point to doctoral training (equivalence, fast track possible for excellent students)

• Greater attention should be paid to the ‘socialdimension’ of the third cycle (equality of access

to thethird cycle)

Standards and guidelinesStandards and guidelines (from EURODOC (from EURODOC report)report)

Thesis defense:

•Review and critique of the thesis by supervisors before submission of the final thesis

• Internal and external Jury members with appropriate expertise (transparency rules)

•Thesis publishing and communication about results (public defense, scientific papers …)

Standards and guidelinesStandards and guidelines (from EURODOC (from EURODOC report)report)

Supervision:•A major topic of debate and an important

aspect of quality;•Contract between PhD candidate,

supervisor and institution with rights and responsibilities: good practice in many HEIs;

•Multiple supervision encouraged;•Supervision should be recognized as a

part of workload;• Increased need for professional skills

development for supervisors (training of supervisors).

Introduction to French Research and Doctoral Introduction to French Research and Doctoral programsprograms

Public Research in France is organized along a dual system:Public Research in France is organized along a dual system:• Large Public Research Institutes (CNRS, CEA, INRA, INSERM, Large Public Research Institutes (CNRS, CEA, INRA, INSERM,

INRIA…), with labs in different placesINRIA…), with labs in different places• Labs within HE Institutions, mainly public ones: Universities, Labs within HE Institutions, mainly public ones: Universities,

Engineer Schools and Management Schools Engineer Schools and Management Schools

The tendency is The tendency is • to create labs with a critical mass focused on specific research to create labs with a critical mass focused on specific research

issues, through mergers between labs, research teams, and issues, through mergers between labs, research teams, and associate researchers from other labsassociate researchers from other labs

• To increase networking between labs, through EU projects, To increase networking between labs, through EU projects, detachment of researchers of Public Institutes, Post-docs …detachment of researchers of Public Institutes, Post-docs …

Serious assessment of labs, competition for sources of funding, Serious assessment of labs, competition for sources of funding, imposed to reconsider their institutional organization. On the imposed to reconsider their institutional organization. On the example of Grenoble Universities in France, we’ll see the last example of Grenoble Universities in France, we’ll see the last changes concerning:changes concerning:

• Institutional organization of research within UniversitiesInstitutional organization of research within Universities• Doctoral colleges,Doctoral colleges,• Doctoral SchoolsDoctoral Schools• PhD TeachingsPhD Teachings• Thesis and Chart of PhD students Thesis and Chart of PhD students

Institutional organization (UPMF, Institutional organization (UPMF, 2000)2000)

Vice PresidencyResearch

Scientific Council

Faculty 1 Faculty 2 Faculty 3

3rd cycle Diploma (DEA

in 1 year)

Professors(research, teaching

and tutoring)

ResearchLabs

PhD Students

Institutional organization (UPMF, Institutional organization (UPMF, 2010)2010)

Vice PresidencyResearch

Scientific Council

Doctoral College

Faculty 2 Faculty 3

DoctoralSchools

Professors(research, teaching

and tutoring)

ResearchLabs

PhD Students

Faculty 1

Institutional organization (next Institutional organization (next step ?)step ?)

Doctoral College

Faculties Faculties

DoctoralSchools

Professors(research, teaching

and tutoring)

ResearchLabs

PhD Students

Faculties

Grenoble Université

UNI 1 UNI 2(UPMF)

UNI 3INPG

Doctoral collegeDoctoral collegeIt’s a new institution, attached to the research services It’s a new institution, attached to the research services

of the University and dedicated to:of the University and dedicated to:• Standardize rules among the different doctoral schools Standardize rules among the different doctoral schools

attached to the college: chart of thesis, recruitment, attached to the college: chart of thesis, recruitment, tutoring, jury, allocation of credits for seminars ;tutoring, jury, allocation of credits for seminars ;

• Manage directly some teachings for PhD students Manage directly some teachings for PhD students during their thesis years (seminars on methodology, during their thesis years (seminars on methodology, professional insertion and technical competencies);professional insertion and technical competencies);

• Give exemption of MA (equivalence) for attending Give exemption of MA (equivalence) for attending doctoral studies;doctoral studies;

• Organize attribution of grants (doctoral contracts from Organize attribution of grants (doctoral contracts from Ministry and University) for funding PhD studentsMinistry and University) for funding PhD students

• Control the progress of PhD students during their Control the progress of PhD students during their thesis (for example Presentation of thesis subject in thesis (for example Presentation of thesis subject in English, with first tasks realized, at the end of the first English, with first tasks realized, at the end of the first year);year);

Each year, the Director of the Doctoral College reports to Each year, the Director of the Doctoral College reports to the University Scientific Councilthe University Scientific Council

Doctoral schoolsDoctoral schoolsThey replace the old DEA and are much more structured. They are They replace the old DEA and are much more structured. They are

dedicated to larger fields of research than DEA (economy, dedicated to larger fields of research than DEA (economy, management, Law …). They can be linked to several labs of the management, Law …). They can be linked to several labs of the Faculty in which Teachers are doing their research. Such labs are Faculty in which Teachers are doing their research. Such labs are focused generally on narrower research fields.focused generally on narrower research fields.

Doctoral schools are:Doctoral schools are:• Defining rules of doctoral studies;Defining rules of doctoral studies;• Managing their PhD students (recruitment, teachings, jury) and Managing their PhD students (recruitment, teachings, jury) and

dedicated infrastructure;dedicated infrastructure;• Organizing advance teachings (conferences, seminars with Organizing advance teachings (conferences, seminars with

credits) in their specific fields of research;credits) in their specific fields of research;

The Director of the doctoral school:The Director of the doctoral school:• Reports to the Scientific Council of the University;Reports to the Scientific Council of the University;• Organizes meetings of the Council of the Doctoral School (3-4 Organizes meetings of the Council of the Doctoral School (3-4

times a year):times a year):• Prepares the accreditation process or assessment (reports) for Prepares the accreditation process or assessment (reports) for

the Ministry of Education;the Ministry of Education;• Assesses with the Tutors the progresses of PhD students during Assesses with the Tutors the progresses of PhD students during

their thesistheir thesis

PhD Teachings PhD Teachings The example is taken from the UPMF Doctoral College and the Doctoral School of The example is taken from the UPMF Doctoral College and the Doctoral School of

Management Sciences (EDSG 275) sharing Teachings at the Doctorate levelManagement Sciences (EDSG 275) sharing Teachings at the Doctorate level

Each PhD student has to attend seminars (compulsory (*) and optional) of both Each PhD student has to attend seminars (compulsory (*) and optional) of both Doctoral College and its own Doctoral School for obtaining 36 credits in 3 yearsDoctoral College and its own Doctoral School for obtaining 36 credits in 3 years

Main internal seminars of Doctoral School EDSGMain internal seminars of Doctoral School EDSG CréditsCrédits

Colloquial English (*)Colloquial English (*) 55

Annual mini-presentation in English (*)Annual mini-presentation in English (*) 22

Transverse seminars in Management Sciences (*)Transverse seminars in Management Sciences (*) 44

Modelization in Management (Matlab, Scilab)Modelization in Management (Matlab, Scilab) 33

Data Analysis (Factor analysis, classification)Data Analysis (Factor analysis, classification) 33

Statistical softwareStatistical software 44

UPMF Doctoral College UPMF Doctoral College Teachings Teachings

Main seminars offered:Main seminars offered: CreditsCredits

Theoretical and methodologicalTheoretical and methodological

Epistemology and legitimating of researchesEpistemology and legitimating of researches 44

Social representationsSocial representations 44

Scientific Communication Scientific Communication 33

Structural EquationsStructural Equations 44

Exploitation of qualitative dataExploitation of qualitative data 44

Professional InsertionProfessional Insertion

Building of ones professional projectBuilding of ones professional project 44

Research and socio-economic environmentResearch and socio-economic environment 44

Enterprise, environment and societyEnterprise, environment and society 44

Exploitation of scientific information in Social SciencesExploitation of scientific information in Social Sciences 44

Financing of PhD students in EDSG Financing of PhD students in EDSG 275275

Types of financingTypes of financing 2007-082007-08 2008-092008-09 2009-102009-10

Doctoral contract (ex research allocation)Doctoral contract (ex research allocation) 1515 1616 1515

Convention CIFREConvention CIFRE 66 55 55

CDD associated to a thesis (ATER…)CDD associated to a thesis (ATER…) 1414 1212 1515

Financing for foreigners students (grantsFinancing for foreigners students (grants 1616 1717 1717

Financing by a firmFinancing by a firm 11 22 11

Doctoral allocation from the RegionDoctoral allocation from the Region 44 33 44

Teachers in other InstitutionsTeachers in other Institutions 55 22 99

Employees of public or private sectorsEmployees of public or private sectors 3131 3636 2323

Other situationsOther situations 88 99 99

No financingNo financing 88 66 1212

TotalTotal 107107 107107 110110

90% of PhD students have an identified financing

34% have an allocation or a doctoral contract

Chart of PhD studentsChart of PhD students Preparation of a thesis is based on a mutual agreement between a PhD Preparation of a thesis is based on a mutual agreement between a PhD

student and a Tutor, Professor or equivalent (HDR), on a thesis student and a Tutor, Professor or equivalent (HDR), on a thesis subject and work conditions during the thesis. It induces mutual subject and work conditions during the thesis. It induces mutual rights and obligations defined in a chart of thesis, undersigned by rights and obligations defined in a chart of thesis, undersigned by both ones. The objective is to ensure a high scientific quality. both ones. The objective is to ensure a high scientific quality. Besides them, enrolment has to be signed by the Directors of the Besides them, enrolment has to be signed by the Directors of the Doctoral School and of the welcoming lab. The main points of the Doctoral School and of the welcoming lab. The main points of the chart are:chart are:

• ThesisThesis, a step in a personal and professional project: clear , a step in a personal and professional project: clear objectives, information about possible future jobs and types of objectives, information about possible future jobs and types of financingfinancing

• Subject and Feasibility of the thesisSubject and Feasibility of the thesis: subject agreed between : subject agreed between PhD student and Tutor, defining the research project (present state PhD student and Tutor, defining the research project (present state of research in the field, insertion of the project in the field of the of research in the field, insertion of the project in the field of the research team of the lab, scientific goals and prospective steps, research team of the lab, scientific goals and prospective steps, methods and potential co-operations, teachings and eventual methods and potential co-operations, teachings and eventual mobility in other labs)mobility in other labs)

• Tutoring during the thesisTutoring during the thesis: data on the other thesis managed by : data on the other thesis managed by the Tutor, frequency of meetings, planning of reports and Tutor’s the Tutor, frequency of meetings, planning of reports and Tutor’s remarksremarks

• Thesis durationThesis duration: 3 years with possibility of a 4: 3 years with possibility of a 4thth, and less often a 5, and less often a 5thth year. year.

• Publication and valorization of the thesisPublication and valorization of the thesis: scientific papers, : scientific papers, patentspatents

• Mediation proceduresMediation procedures

External assessment (AERES) of a Doctoral External assessment (AERES) of a Doctoral SchoolSchool

AERES: Assessment Agency of Research and HE (MEN): assessment AERES: Assessment Agency of Research and HE (MEN): assessment sheetsheet

CRITERIA RATING FOR ITEMS: CRITERIA RATING FOR ITEMS: A : Satisfying, B : Acceptable, C : InsufficientA : Satisfying, B : Acceptable, C : Insufficient

1.1. Context: Doctoral School (ED) title, ED Director, ED Nature, Main Institution Context: Doctoral School (ED) title, ED Director, ED Nature, Main Institution attachment, Other attachments, Local policy, Research labs, Scientific policyattachment, Other attachments, Local policy, Research labs, Scientific policy

22 Policy, Governance and infrastructure: Council, Governance, Secretariat, Policy, Governance and infrastructure: Council, Governance, Secretariat, Infrastructure, Common resources, Ways of Communication and Information Infrastructure, Common resources, Ways of Communication and Information of studentsof students

33 Analysis of results and causes: Number of doctorate students, number of Analysis of results and causes: Number of doctorate students, number of Tutors, number of students by Tutor, number of thesis/year, average duration Tutors, number of students by Tutor, number of thesis/year, average duration of thesis (months), rate of Students leavingof thesis (months), rate of Students leaving

44 Tutoring: Chart of thesis, choice of thesis subjects, student admission, ED Tutoring: Chart of thesis, choice of thesis subjects, student admission, ED tutoring, jury criteria, jobs ex PhD studentstutoring, jury criteria, jobs ex PhD students

55 Financing of thesis: Rates of financed and non financed thesis, Minimum Financing of thesis: Rates of financed and non financed thesis, Minimum requiredrequired

66 Doctoral Teachings: Number of hours required, variety of courses, Doctoral Teachings: Number of hours required, variety of courses, organization of scientific eventsorganization of scientific events

77 National and International attractivityNational and International attractivity

88 Global assessment: strengths and weaknessesGlobal assessment: strengths and weaknesses

99 Global Assessment (A, B or C) on: Quality of scientific labs attached, ED Global Assessment (A, B or C) on: Quality of scientific labs attached, ED Management, TutoringManagement, Tutoring

PS: assessment of ED 275 in French available as an examplePS: assessment of ED 275 in French available as an example

External assessment (MEN) of a External assessment (MEN) of a Research UnitResearch Unit

Work plan of the evaluation team (experts ):Work plan of the evaluation team (experts ):

Day agenda discussionDay agenda discussion by the team (0.5 h Behind by the team (0.5 h Behind Closed Door/BCD)Closed Door/BCD)

Activity of the Unit (1 h): Activity of the Unit (1 h): Presentation of the Unit Presentation of the Unit activity by the Unit Director (with all or part of the Unit activity by the Unit Director (with all or part of the Unit Council): Main aspects, eventual thematic changes and Council): Main aspects, eventual thematic changes and scientific project, members of the Unitscientific project, members of the Unit

Meeting with the Research Teams of the Unit (1 h): Meeting with the Research Teams of the Unit (1 h): Presentations by the Heads of the teams of thematic Presentations by the Heads of the teams of thematic axes and resultsaxes and results

Meeting with the Unit Council Meeting with the Unit Council (1 h BCD)(1 h BCD)Meeting with the Doctorate students Meeting with the Doctorate students (0.5 h BCD)(0.5 h BCD)Meeting with the Meeting with the Representatives Meeting with the Meeting with the Representatives

of the Institutions managing the Unit of the Institutions managing the Unit (0.5 h)(0.5 h)Discussion of the evaluation by the team of experts Discussion of the evaluation by the team of experts

(0.5 h BCD) (0.5 h BCD)