We are asked to comment on the strengths/weakness of the present network model and on any issues specific to linguistics when designing/commissioning a DTC, or in setting the priorities of PG training in general. Other general comments also welcome (e.g. impact in our discipline of the collaborative model).
Please post comments here on the Forum (as comments under this topic), or send responses to me direct by email (sam.hellmuth@york.ac.uk), by
5pm on Thursday 27th March. I will collate the responses and prepare a statement for the committee to approve before passing on to the ESRC.
Thanks, Sam Hellmuth (Hon Sec)
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Since October 2011 the Economic and Social Research Council has delivered its postgraduate training support to the social sciences through a network of 21 Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs), which includes a total of 46 different Research Organisations.
The key aims of this network are to:
- Promote the development of more coherent institution and consortium-wide core training programmes;
- Deliver truly excellent postgraduate training across a significant range of social science disciplines and areas of interdisciplinary enquiry;
- Move towards more flexible platforms, through the formation of training pathways and the allocation of a range of training routes for postgraduate students.
More information about the DTC Network can be found here in the ESRC’s website: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/postgraduates/dtc/index.aspx
The current network of DTCs runs until 2017, and to inform and support the re-commissioning process for the next phase of the network, the Council has commissioned this evaluation of the network as a whole.
Submissions are invited from all organisations with a strong interest in social science research and should be structured under the following five headings:
- Strengths of the current DTC network model
- Weaknesses of the current DTC network model
- Key points to consider when developing and commissioning a new DTC network in relation to the disciplinary area that you represent
- Current priorities in postgraduate training of the disciplinary area you cover
- Any other points related to the objectives of the review (see below)
Objectives of the review
a) assess the extent to which the DTC network met its core objectives in terms of providing:
i. excellent core, advanced scientific and transferable economic and societal impact related skills training across the range of social science disciplines;
ii. innovative interdisciplinary training;
iii. flexibility in the content, structure and delivery of training as well as in the use of studentship funding;
iv. a more integrated approach to training within institutions and consortia, pooling expertise and reducing duplication. Supporting development of a strategic vision for the social sciences within the institution or consortium
v. collaborative research and training opportunities for students with the private, public and voluntary sector.
b) assess the opening up of Advanced Training both within and outside the DTC network
c) assess ‘added’ developments that DTCs have been encouraged to take on for example, the development of international PhD partnering activities
d) review the success (where appropriate) of collaborative DTCs
e) assess the extent to which the DTC network is developing capacity to help address the ESRC Strategic Priorities, broader challenges across the social sciences, and is engaging with other ESRC research and resource investments
f) draw comparisons with other Research Councils (being mindful of the need for harmonisation across council activities) and other research training funders overseas
g) assess the extent to which DTC status has resulted in additional developments within host institutions, for example infrastructure development, or extension of the DTC model across the institution
h) identify overall lessons learned from the current DTC model, including both strengths and weaknesses
i) inform the design of the next round of network commissioning, and the call specification as appropriate.
