Are opportunities and conditions the same for all the University’s doctoral students?

Published 24 February 2023

It is important that doctoral students, regardless of category and financing, have the same opportunities and conditions, as far as possible, for their admission to and conducting of third-cycle education. Unfortunately, that is not the case today, as the situation varies between the faculties.

Sometimes this is due to factors related to the subjects, but in some cases, it is because there has been no coordination.

Third-cycle education is a very important part of the University’s contribution to societal development and doctoral students account for a large part of the research conducted at LU. Certain parts of third-cycle education are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance, while others are for us to determine.

Since I took over as the chair of the Research Programmes Board, (Swedish abbreviation, FUN), in January 2022, we have worked on two major issues: common admission rules and how a joint framework for programmes could be designed. Within FUN, we believe that a common framework is a good idea. Not to create more bureaucracy and make things more difficult, but to prevent and remedy any problems through reference to a clear structure.

Many doctoral students move across faculty and subject boundaries, and it does not feel right if two doctoral students are working together according to different rules and regulations.

In spring 2022 our proposal for common admission rules was adopted and we have continued to work on the rules and regulations for third-cycle education.

At the faculties there is a tradition of having different views, but through mutual give and take we have reached agreement on certain common points that will hopefully make life easier for all those involved.

Within FUN we have now reached a conclusion about what needs to be included in an individual study plan (ISP) and how it is to be followed up. This is now to go out on a consultation round and a decision will be taken by the Vice-Chancellor before the next stage of creating a common ISP system throughout LU. Hopefully this makes things easier and simpler for both doctoral students and supervisors.

In one way it may feel like a simple assignment, but after many years at LU I see this as a big step and I hope that it does not become a Sisyphean task!

/ Viktor Öwall