1. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH The Potential for Practice-led Professional Doctorates in Providing Higher Level CPD. Dr Mike Nicholls, Department of Education & Community Studies, School of Education University of Greenwich

2. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Acknowledgements u Kent & Medway Life Long Learning Network u Mandy Hobart of Mirabeth Consultancy u Judyn Mathewman of TRC Consultants Ltd

3. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Redefining the Doctorate – HE Academy discussion paper (Park 2007) u “knowledge economy” places a growing expectation on the higher education system to provide research and education that is more relevant to the needs of the work force and the competitive position of the economy in general.” u “most if not all the stakeholder groups agree the need to review the UK doctorate and evaluate whether it remains fit for purpose and effective in practice”.

4. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Project Aims u Assess the potential for supply and demand for Practice-Led, Professional Doctorates in local south-east region; u Assess likely demand amongst employers and others working at senior levels; u Assess potential for development of ‘third generation’ practice-led professional doctorates in local HEIs

5. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH “Kinds” of Doctorate u 1 st Generation – “traditional” PhD u 2 nd Generation – “Professional Doctorates” “created and used by practitioners in the context of reciprocal relationship between professional practice and new professional knowledge”. u Egs. EdD; D.Clin.Psy.; DBA; Eng.D. u Provider-led pedagogy (“taught doctorate”) u Universities are “gate keepers” of “legitimate knowledge” (McIntyre & Symes 2000)

6. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH “Kinds” of Doctorate u 3 rd Generation u sometimes called the “practitioner doctorate”, “practice-led” or “work based” doctorate u gives the “professional student” control of content, context and assessment and these negotiated with the university and where appropriate a professional body or employer. u a learner-managed pedagogy u trans-disciplinary u compatible with cultivation of higher order transferable skills and continuing professional development. u Eg. Middlesex University D.Prof and D.Prof (Public Works) - 235 candidates 2007/08

7. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH “New Route” PhD u “integrated” PhD u Integrated with “employability skills” delivered as taught modules (eg. team building; enterprise; technology transfer; language skills…) u ‘……of direct value to the world of work, whether in academia, industry or government” u Effectively an “augmented 1 st Generation PhD” u www.newroutephd.ac.uk

8. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH What’s on offer in the region? University A A pre-1992 university with academic and some professional departments u PhD & “NewRoute” PhD University B A post-1992 university and former polytechnic. Integrates professional, applied and academic subjects. u PhD; Ed.D University C A former university college which recently gained university status. Integrates academic and professional disciplines with emphasis on public services. u PhD of HEI A; Ed.D; D.Clin. Psycol. University D A multi-campus specialised university u PhD (of another university) also Open University u Ed.D

9. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Potential Demand- 19 Senior Managers from Public/Private Sectors u Health (4) u Local Government(4) u Public Services(1) u Education(2) u Professional bodies/Skills Councils (4) u Chemical/Pharmaceutical(2) u Others (2)

10. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Questions asked…. In your opinion: u Is there a need for a work-based, professional Doctorate? u What should be the key features of a work- based doctorate?* u What benefits would you like to see accrue from a work-based Doctorate in your work place/ organisation? u Would you be interested to help in shaping such a degree? *N.B. Difficult to describe a WB, Prof Doc without being unduly prescriptive. Used term “peer revered” c.f. “peer reviewed”

11. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Responses: Managers in Organisations u Although doctoral level achievement is recognized, valued and respected ….. u currently little interest in traditional PhDs taken by part-time mode. u Most (18/19) however responded positively to the concept of a practice- led, work based professional doctorates u “Universities need to be more responsive to what employers want and more flexible in their provision” u 14 had ideas how it could work with the staff they manage.

12. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Case study - Elaine u 1 st class honours degree in Environmental Science u Product Safety Manager for major, multinational chemical company. u Responsible for global compliance of products to health and environmental law. u Needs deep understanding of chemistry, environmental science, marketing, legal requirements, organisational aspects.. u Tried to do a PhD…. u but supervisors couldn’t agree!

13. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Responses: Managers in Organisations u potential demand was identified in the cases of : health service trusts, local government, u other public services (including Police) education the commercial sector (egs. chemical / environmental consultancy/ leisure industries)

14. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH u 13 Senior managers offered to give up time to work with a university on development. u Mainly health trusts, local government, children services, one professional body and u some private sector companies including leisure, chemical industries and an environmental consultant. u Of two professional bodies: u one already working with Middlesex University u another already work with another university, but would prefer something more flexible.

15. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Potential Supply- 9 Senior Managers from 4 Universities u University A (2) u University B (2) u University C (4) u University D (1) u 3 Pro-Vice Chancellors u 2 Heads of Research & Enterprise u 2 Heads of Research Degrees u 1 Campus Academic Director u 1 Faculty Dean

16. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH In the context of a practice led, work- based professional doctorate, please comment on… u is there scope for development? If so then u What would entry requirements be? u taught components? u recognition and accreditation of prior learning; u supervision of doctoral candidates; u assessment strategies; u duration of study and research;

17. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Responses: University Senior Managers u No trends or differences between universities; contrasting answers within institutions. u Some (minority) considered there was no need as traditional PhDs could be customised to work- place needs; u Others (majority) interested, provided that: Suitable, distinct model developed Comparability of standards with other doctorates ensured; Sufficient demand merits investment Suitable model with appropriate assessment developed. Must include “research methods”

18. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Recommendations for Universities u To debate whether the University should introduce an alternative Doctoral level award; u Engage with volunteers from public/private sectors/professions to explore potential models; u Design a framework which could be adopted, or not, by University Schools/Faculties and Departments u Decide what it would be called!

19. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Follow-up workshop in University B u Selection of those organisations who offered to help design a generic professional doctoral model. u All university faculties/centres which currently offer research degrees and one taught doctorate. u Guest presentation from Middlesex University u Presented findings to research degrees committee and to senior management. u Verdict was that any development to be “championed” by subject departments/faculties.

20. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH What has changed since original survey? University A u Already offered PhD & “NewRoute” PhD u Now a Professional doctorate in Sport, Exercise and Health Science. University B u Already offered PhD; Ed.D u Currently exploring professional doctorate in Architecture University C u Already offered Ed.D; D.Clin. Psycol. u PhD (own research degree awarding power); University D u Already offer PhD (of another university)

21. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Overall conclusions u PhD is fit for original purpose, and employers respect holders. u Potential Demand - Seems to be a vacant niche for a more flexible 3 rd generation doctorate in public and private sectors u Potential Supply - Universities are cautious in responding to this potential demand and …. u are likely to respond with subject/discipline-led offering (1 st or 2 nd generation doctorate)….. u with no apparent appetite for 3 rd generation doctorate.

22. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH Workshop u Is there potential for work-based, practice-led professional doctorates in your organisations? u Please split into groups and record a summary of your consensus

23. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH How much of each? How is it negotiated? Work Based Learning Accreditation / Evaluation of Current Practice APL Accreditation of prior accomplishments New Learning: Taught Courses Research Projects Research Methods Learning Agreement

24. the UNIVERSITY of GREENWICH References Costley, C. & Stephenson J (2009) Building doctorates around individual candidates’ professional experience, in Boud, D & Lee, A. Changing Practices in Doctoral Education, Routledge. McIntyre, J. and Symes, C (Eds) Working Knowledge: The New Vocalisations of Higher Education, Buckingham, Open University Press. Nicholls, M K et al (2009) Practice-led professional doctorates: the potential for Kent & Medway. Kent & Medway Lifelong Learning Network: http://www.lifelonglearningnetworks.org.uk/uploads/document/685/pr acticeled-professional-doctorates-the-potential-for-kent-amp- medway.pdf Park, C (2007) Redefining the Doctorate : Discussion paper Higher Education Academy.