PhD survey

Getting to know the PhD-trajectory

The PhD degree programme has made some implicit changes the past decade. Most important the number of PhD students grew significantly while at the same time number of promotors (University Professors) has not changed in the same way. With this PhD Survey the Vrije Universiteit Brussel wants to underpin:

• how much time they devote to their research;
• visualise the support PhD students receive from their supervisor(s) and from their broader scientific guidance network.

The main question is to assess the Quality in the PhD process.

Goal: more satisfied students

Almost every PhD student experiences the valley of doubt whether to successfully complete their PhD in time. Most typically this state occurs somewhere between the second and third year of the 4-year PhD-period.

The Central PhD Office is therefore focused on getting a better insight into every step of the PhD process, from the enrolment onwards, to avoid this trap that lowers the well-being of the PhD students.

An accompanying survey along the way

In this 5-year project we follow PhD-students from their first steps until they graduate as a Doctor. Via a survey, we collect valuable information on the research plan, the timing of the PhD-project, the workload, the working time arrangements, and the research output. We also focus on the support given by the supervisor, the extended network of colleagues, and the input of doctoral schools.

Towards a multi-actor action plan

This longitudinal approach makes it possible for the Central PhD Office to map problems, to see how the evolve over the years and to adapt their policies or actions.

To have an insight PhD-student receive an overview of their own situation or ‘feedback by self-evaluation’. Based on this output PhD-students can ask/or are asked to have a meeting with their faculty representatives, or faculty responsible.