Our principles (the ten pillars)For a competitive, attractive, well working PhD Program

ABCPhD programArchitecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering Doctorate

The ten pillars of ABCPhD

1. Doctoral Candidates are trained producing original research

2. … as independent (mentored) researchers3. … under a continuous supervision and independent

review4. Their training is tailored on their objectives and needs

...5. … based on a wide spectrum doctoral training offer6. The PhD Program aims continuous quality

improvements7. It is based on an effective, transparent recruitment

process8. It promotes original, systematic scientific production9. It promotes the development of networks and

relations with other researchers10. It promotes the development of relations with the

stakeholders

for a competitve, attractive, well working PhD Program

Cardo Maximus, Apamea, Damascus, Siria

1 – Doctoral Candidates are trained producing original research

Research training is through research itself, working with other researchers, mainly in the ABC Department.Candidate’s activity is embedded in our institutional activity (Sistematica Collaborazione all’interno in programmi di ricerca dipartimentali)

[Salzburg Principles, 1 and 2]

2 – PhD candidates are trained as independent (mentored) researchers

Mentors (tutor, supervisor, advisor) are counsellors, trainers, bosses , and their qualities are:

• Credibility• Integrity• Confidence• Cooperation

Mentorship means to involve, to offer opportunities, also for learning from errors and bearing responsibilities.

Pablo E. Fabisch - http://paesmem.stanford.edu/html/proceedings_4.html

[Salzburg Principles, N.4: Early Stage Researchers, and N.5, The crucial role of supervision …]

3 – PhD candidates are continuously supervised and independently reviewed

ABC-PhD: study + work + internal and external assessment/help• Mentorship comes together with systematic review (6

Milestones) and independent assessment (by external experts) of candidate’s projects and products

• Results are planned and expected from the first year

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[Salzburg Principles, N.5, The crucial role of supervision and assessment]

4 – PhD training is tailored on the Candidate and his/her objectives

Each Candidate defines, with the Tutor his/her Research and Training Plan (R&Tplan):• A lot of research activity about a

chosen topic (66-85%).• Some formal training (few), to

gain a common starting level and to fill possible gaps, to get basic skills (e.g. research management and communication) and to be updated

5 – PhD training is based on a High level and wide spectrum training offer

The whole PhD School offers a complex and wide set of courses on may topics and disciplines, with the best international teachers and about the most actual research questions.The Program adds a good number of strategic and specialistic courses and research workshops about our main topics

[Salzburg Principles, N.3: Diversity]

6 – Its management system aims systematic quality improvement

[Salzburg Recommendation 2.7, Quality and accountability]

7 – It assures an effective recruitment

1. Open, efficient, transparent and supportive recruitment procedures , internationally comparable and tailored to the advertised positions.2. A selection based on the research of the compromise among youngers potential, personal motivation and proved competencies.

[Salzburg Recommendation 2.2, Recruitment, admission and status]

8 – It promotes original, systematic scientific production (without excesses)

PhD Candidates are directly involved in active research. Their average number of peer-reviewed publications during the PhD is about 2,0. We aim to grow a lot in the future: not a lot in number, in quality.Alternative to publication: PATENT!

[Salzburg Principles, N.4: Doctoral Candidates as early stage researchers.]

[Salzburg Reccomendation 2.4, The outcome of their research must be original and suitable for dissemination within the scientific community]

9 – It promotes the development of a net-work of relations with other researchers

There are thousands of researchers in Europe, hundrieds of thousands in the world: the most of them works on similar projects and topics.

http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive/phd112006s.gif

[Salzburg Principles, N.9, Increasing mobility]

10 – It promotes the development of relations with the stakeholdersCandidate’s activity is embedded in the institutional activity of the ABC Department, that is defined in a strong relation with stakeholders. Moreover, Candidates are strongly encouraged to stay in relation with the stakeholders of their research activities.

EC Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training in Europe: 5. Exposure to industry and Interface with the labour market

10 – It promotes the development of relations with the stakeholdersCandidate’s activity is embedded in the institutional activity of the ABC Department, that is defined in a strong relation with stakeholders. Moreover, Candidates are strongly encouraged to stay in relation with the stakeholders of their research activities.

Image from Cheeky Scientist Association, from the post “How To Transition From Academia Into Business”http://cheekyscientist.com/phd-jobs/

10 – It promotes the development of relations with the stakeholders

Open the door and look around!!

Published by AAAS, ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT NEUBECKER

… as soon as possible, before ending your PhD and your scholarship!