We aim at analysing the production, circulation and reception of doctoral policies and discourses on the valorisation of the PhD, and at exploring systemic issues about the practices and experiences of the doctorate, in France and other relevant policy contexts.
Public policies on higher education and research influence various aspects of doctoral practices, PhD candidates’ experiences, their career planning, and the role of and relationships among actors navigating the doctoral ecosystem. We aim at analysing the production, circulation and reception of doctoral policies and discourses around the valorisation of the PhD, in France, and relevant contexts such as the European Union. We examine the evolution of doctoral policies, related in particular to the science policy reforms. We also aim at investigating the transnational circulation of policies and the role of the many actors (institutions, governments, private actors, associations) involved in advising, producing, and disseminating them. Understanding the ecosystem of doctoral policies provides insights to better understand the stakes behind relevant topics, such as the push for inter-sectoral mobilities for PhD holders. The research environment, its norms and practices are changing, impacting the PhD career planning and the doctoral journey. It brings us to explore power dynamics among the constellation of actors and to address matters, such as mental health, diversity and inclusion practices, at a cross-institutional level to better grasp the stakes of these systemic issues.