The PhD in France. Perspectives from PhD candidates and supervisors
The 2023 edition of the French national survey for PhD candidates and PhD supervisors, coordinated by the French National Network of Doctoral Colleges (RNCD - Réseau National des Collèges Doctoraux), was published at the start of December. The network is chaired by Sylvie Pommier, who is also Deputy Vice President for doctoral research at Université Paris-Saclay.
The annual survey is aimed at people who are considering undertaking a PhD, who support and train PhD candidates, and who are considering recruiting PhD candidates and making use of their skills and expertise in the academic or non-academic sectors.
Over 20,000 people answered the survey, including 13,412 PhD candidates – an increase of 16% compared with the survey’s first edition. 7,803 PhD supervisors also completed the survey, which was also a rise of 34%.
The survey confirms the essential role that PhD training plays in French research and the high level of satisfaction of PhD candidates in regard to their supervisors and PhD experience. The survey has also identified areas of dissatisfaction and helps to establish tools to prevent them.
The survey response rate for Université Paris-Saclay was particularly high with 30% of respondents, and overall positive results which support the university’s doctoral policy, driven in particular through the Maison du Doctorat.
A mission to restore the image of PhDs in France
PhD training plays a major role in research. It gives students the opportunity to build on their experience and acquire new skills, in both their analytical and creative capacities. And yet, the value of PhDs is not sufficiently recognised in the French world of work. The French Minister for Higher Education and Research, Sylvie Retailleau, and the Minister Delegate for Industry, Roland Lescure, aim to reduce this lack of recognition as part of a dedicated mission which they have assigned to Sylvie Pommier and Xavier Lazarus, Associate Director of Elaia, a venture capital firm specialised in tech start-ups. The mission aims to boost the perception of PhD training in companies and society at large. To do so, the duo will suggest propositions to improve and reinforce existing initiatives in addition to new measures by Spring 2024.