W-03 Realising the Full Potential of PhD Graduates in a Global Society

Abstract

The global knowledge economy has never been of greater importance and PhD graduates are expected to contribute to society not only as academics but also as highly skilled research staff in wider society. The industrial sector needs to develop technologies and expand into new business globally and universities are increasingly required to produce researchers with the skills required by global society. What can be done at institutional, national and international level to promote the value and appeal of a doctorate in a globalised world and to produce PhD graduates who can create new roles in wider society? What is the skill set required by "global researchers"? How should universities embed training and development in the research environment in order to produce global researchers? The importance of these issues is becoming increasingly felt by the government, university and business sectors of many countries which are thriving to be competitive in a global economy. This paper will look at some programmes initiated by British organisations for PhD students and researchers in an effort to address these challenges.