Doctoral education in France: an experience-based perspective Doctoral Education-Enhancing the Experience and Impact R.A. Thietart ESSEC Business School EIASM Academic Council Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin October 6th, 2008

Doctoral education in France: the stereotypes Two stereotypes: - the traditional University model - the more recent Business School model

The present situation  Large majority of doctoral students are trained at the University Good will and effort Limited resources National market and ambition Reproduction rather than dissemination But determination to go towards a more American style PhD program

The present situation  A few students are trained in BS adopting the American style PhD programs Heterogeneous Sometimes specialized Only a few, but growing, full fledge programs

How can we enhance the experience and impact? A few observations

How can we enhance the experience and impact?  Both models (European and American) have value The gentle and forgiving European model stresses the intellectual development The high pressured and efficient American model teaches how to “make” research

How can we enhance the experience and impact?  National vs. international markets The European model is well adapted to national constraints and traditions The American model appeals to a wider international audience

How can we enhance the experience and impact?  Too many programs are introvert Confrontation with other scholars is a must International openness

How can we enhance the experience and impact?  Limited apprenticeship towards academic life Publishing Teaching Contributing

How can we enhance the experience and impact?  From a painstaking to an intense and rewarding experience with High scientific standard Ethics

How can we enhance the experience and impact?  Resources are limited Faculty time Facility Scholarships Travel expenses

How can we enhance the experience and impact? 6 challenges

1st challenge  To keep the intellectual ambition while providing the necessary strong methodological base Lively, exciting and stimulating academic environment Students involvement in the academic life Rigorous mastering of scientific methods and tools

2nd challenge  To fit the national tradition while appealing to a wider international market Work to change the institutional constraints to make them more open to different doctoral education models Increase the weight of English (100%) in doctoral education

3rd challenge  To provide opportunity to students to spend several months in a Foreign institution Go from the craft to the industrial Build a network among selected European and overseas institutions

4th challenge  Improve interfaces between doctoral education and academic life Meet the editors and the victims First hand supervised teaching experience Participation to major conferences as active contributors Students involvement in selected activities of the faculty

5th challenge  Keep the pressure with empathy The “compassionate” dissertation advisor Fairness for all Clear, simple but demanding rules Positive attitude, always

6th challenge  Without resources all what was said is wishful thinking Students !!!! Prospective employers ! Academic Institutions? National governments and EU? Cost sharing with in house profitable programs Joint programs between institutions (national, European)

As a conclusion  Several trivial points but hard to implement  Europe has a lot to contribute based on its tradition. We need also to borrow what the American model has the best to offer  Talents are there, but resources are the real problem