Vectors of knowledge exchange: the value of industry engagement to HASS PhDs

Abstract

This article investigates the value of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) candidates' prior industry networks and experiences as they intersect with doctoral study, as assessed by a group of HASS PhD graduates. While the phenomenon of industry engagement in PhDs across HASS and STEM is widely recognised, the value of these relationships to the PhD experience is less understood. This is particularly the case in HASS PhDs given the opportunities afforded to this predominantly mature-aged cohort of pre-existing professional networks.In our previous work on this topic, we showed that engaging with industry throughout the HASS PhD research lifecycle is widespread, and that networks may have their genesis prior to commencement and persist into careers post-graduation. In this article we subject these networks to finer-grained analysis. Based on 16 in-depth interviews, we investigate the value HASS PhD graduates ascribe to their industry networks pre, during and post-graduation.Our analysis suggests industry engagement during the PhD contributes value in two key ways: by facilitating candidate learning, in the form of research design and data collection related activities, and for knowledge exchange. These insights are further enhanced by development of a novel analytical model that measures the extensiveness, or continuity, of industry engagement across the PhD lifecycle. Comparative analysis reveals a correlation between enduring industry engagement and academic careers post-graduation, suggesting additional value in the form of a highly industry integrated HASS academic labour force. Our findings suggest HASS PhDs can function as an important and hitherto under-recognised industry engagement vector, contributing added value to the research process with multiple potential beneficiaries.

The expansion of doctoral education and the changing nature and purpose of the doctorate

“…Many doctoral candidates are not in their twenties and have pre-existing professional experience, particularly in occupation-oriented disciplines, including in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) (Bazeley, 2003). They see value in engaging with industry, within and beyond the private commercial sector (Barnacle et al, 2020). And in some systems, especially in applied disciplines, doctorate holders leave academia, gain professional experience, and convert that practical capital into a tenured position, or maintain parallel careers in both the corporate and academic worlds (Benz et al, 2021).…”

Don’t count them out: PhD skills development and careers in industry

“…Yet, among science, engineering and health doctorates in the USA, about half were employed outside academia, with for-profit companies being the largest share (National Science Board, 2017). Interest in non-academic careers has also increased in Europe, Canada and Australia while necessitating changes in doctoral education to promote diverse career pathways and to meet the needs of employers (Barnacle et al , 2020; Bituskova, 2009; Germain-Alamartine et al , 2020; Germain-Alamartine and Moghadam-Saman, 2020; Neumann and Tan, 2011). Although recently scrutinized, this is not necessarily a new phenomenon, yet, students have noted poor preparation from their PhD program for careers outside of academia despite this trend (Barnes and Randall, 2012; Heflinger and Doykos, 2016; Manathunga et al , 2009; Morrison et al , 2011).…”