The Impact of EngD—Dynamics of Collaborative Relationships Through Employer Engagement in Doctoral Research Training

Abstract

The important role of doctoral engineers as the next generation of scientific and technology leaders, who will underpin the competitiveness of the industry base, has been recognised among international R&D stakeholders and policy makers. In the UK, the Engineering Doctorate (EngD) programme was established 20 years ago as a scheme distinct from, and complementary to, the traditional PhD. The EngD is differentiated from PhD programmes as it expects doctoral researchers (Research Engineers: REs) to work closely with industry, by helping researchers acquire industry relevant skills as well as industry based research experience, while based in a company. This chapter draws on a pilot study conducted in 2013, which investigated the various forms of impacts resulting from EngD programmes—including the perceptions of business partners who fund research projects and host the REs, and the career destinations of the former REs. Four key routes to impacts are proposed as a conceptual framework in order to understand the variety of impacts of the collaborative doctoral training.