Rounding up some news from the PhD-world to keep you up to date

A significant new report has landed that’s worth your attention. Fewer UK PhD graduates are now staying in academia than in previous years. Apparently, only around four in ten grads remain in academic roles (source – behind a paywall, I’m afraid: Times Higher Education). This shows a marked shift from earlier longitudinal studies. If that lands with a mix of relief and unease, you’re not alone. The doctorate was never only a passport to a lectureship (see this blog for an explanation), but the sector is still catching up with that reality.

The fuller picture is more encouraging than the headline suggests, though. Over 90% of PhD graduates report using their doctoral skills in their work (source: ibid), and earnings remain strong across sectors. The doctorate is doing what it was always supposed to do: developing capable, rigorous thinkers, even if the destination looks different than it once did.

If you’re looking for something useful to read this month, A Happy PhD is a well-regarded blog worth a look. Covering doctoral wellbeing, productivity, and the everyday challenges of doctoral life, it’s written from a slightly different angle to my work, drawing on research from psychology and education. It’s calm, evidence-informed, and a good antidote to the more frantic corners of PhD advice culture online. Don’t use this to procrastinate, but it’s worth an hour if you’re seeking inspiration.

Finally, for those thinking beyond the UK, Wellington Doctoral Scholarships in New Zealand are currently open, offering full tuition support and a generous annual stipend. Find more info on Opportunities for Youth. If an international move is on your radar (where better than NZ??), I suggest you go and explore what they are looking for.

Check back for more news next month.