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Landscapes and Narratives of PhD by Publication pp 199–213Cite as

The PhD by Publication as Preparation for Work in the ‘Performative University’

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Abstract

The PhD by Publication enables doctoral students to develop a track record in publishing throughout their PhD candidature. In addition, this model helps students develop skills in writing for publication. Resultantly, the PhD by Publication offers a model which enables students to enhance their employment prospects upon completion of their doctorate. Nevertheless, it is also essential to consider how the experience of the PhD by Publication model can reshape the experience of being a doctoral student. In this chapter I draw upon the concept of performativity, developed by Ball (J Educ Policy 18:215–228, 2003), to reflect on my own PhD by Publication and subsequent experiences as a lecturer. This model suited the multi-disciplinary approach I adopted throughout my PhD, and assisted me to develop a good publication record throughout my candidature. However, I came to measure and understand my value as a doctoral student in relation to performance metrics such as quantifiable research outputs and citation counts. Now, after 3 years working in an academic position, I reflect upon how the PhD by Publication prepared me to negotiate an academic world where performance is intensely scrutinised, constructed and interpreted in relation to narrow, quantifiable measures of success and achievement.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    A participant in Huang’s study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Patrick O’Keeffe

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  1. Patrick O’Keeffe
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Correspondence to Patrick O’Keeffe .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

    Sin Wang Chong

  2. Wearside View, St Peter's Campus, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK

    Neil Johnson

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O’Keeffe, P. (2022). The PhD by Publication as Preparation for Work in the ‘Performative University’. In: Chong, S.W., Johnson, N. (eds) Landscapes and Narratives of PhD by Publication. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04895-1_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04895-1_13

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