Doctoral training in the arts and humanities: Engagement, review and options for future provision

The Careers Research and Advisory Centre Ltd (CRAC) that manages the Vitae programme, supported by RAND Europe, were commissioned by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to undertake a review and engagement exercise to inform its thinking around the future of doctoral provision in the arts and humanities. AHRC is deeply committed to doctoral training and securing the future of the next generation of arts and humanities researchers.

In this exercise, CRAC/Vitae sought to engage a wide range of stakeholders to provide a broad set of inputs to inform the development of options for future doctoral provision and support. The aim was to help AHRC identify the best way to prioritise its funding to provide the best possible support for doctoral study, effectively facilitate the development of doctoral graduate careers, and adapt to the changing needs of the diverse sectors invested in arts and humanities research and training. 

The evidence-gathering stages of the project comprised a review of existing evidence (including literature) and a comprehensive programme of interviews, roundtables and surveys with a wide range of stakeholders. At its conclusion, CRAC/Vitae submitted a report to the AHRC outlining possible future options for consideration in developing its future strategy and priorities for supporting doctoral training.

Interested in contributing? if you are a current arts and humanities doctoral student, then read more about our latest survey. Survey now closed.

Please be aware that for practical reasons it was not possible to engage with everyone who was interested. This exercise was to inform future strategy and did not impact on any current awards.

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