EUA Council for Doctoral Education
Building the Foundations of Research
A Vision for the Future of Doctoral Education in Europe
The EUA Council for Doctoral Education has developed this publication at a time when global challenges such as the climate crisis and the need to build a more sustainable planet, together with emerging opportunities (e.g. digitalisation), have led universities to a deep reflection on how doctoral education can further progress and remain open and observant of the core values of academia.
This also marks almost two decades since the Salzburg Principles set the foundations for important reforms in doctoral education. Since then, the landscape of doctoral education in Europe has significantly evolved with regard to its form and content.
This document analyses intrinsic and extrinsic drivers that shape the future of doctoral education in Europe and suggests possible ways forward for universities to meet current and future challenges in this key area.
It also serves as a source of reflection for universities that wish to keep their strategies and processes up to date in a fast-changing world.