Industrial Doctoral Students: Specifics of Educational Experience and Doctorate-Employer Cooperation

In the Russian context, the integration of science, education, and industry is one of the state’s strategic priorities. Initiatives have been launched to achieve such integration at the level of doctoral education by creating new training formats for doctoral students (e.g., the pilot project “industrial doctorate”). However, developing evidence-based policy decisions in this area requires data on the educational experiences of students combining their doctoral studies with professional work in the industrial sector. Based on data from a nationwide sociological survey of doctoral graduates (N=1530), this paper attempts to answer three questions: What are the specific characteristics of the educational experience of doctoral students who combine their studies with work in industry? Do private companies provide support to their employees pursuing doctoral degrees? How does such support affect their educational experience? The findings reveal that 26% of doctoral students combine their studies with industrial employment, with career advancement and research interests being their primary motivations to get a degree rather than academic careers. Industrial doctoral students frequently experience academic and social isolation, with limited interaction with supervisors and peers, which may hinder dissertation completion. Key obstacles to achieve a doctoral degree include loss of interest in the research topic and difficulties balancing work and study commitments. The study identifies three forms of employer involvement: (1) control, (2) integration of dissertation into work tasks, and (3) interest and support from the employer. The latter proves most effective, encompassing both material and organizational assistance, which increases the likelihood of degree completion and enhances career prospects. The research highlights the need to adapt doctoral programs to industrial sector requirements through flexible learning formats, joint dissertation supervision, and practice-oriented research.

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