Challenges and use of data in doctoral education, new EUA-CDE Head: the doctoral news from 06/2024

News Tank attended the EUA-CDE annual meeting in Barcelona (Spain), from 26 to 28/06/2024. The Council for Doctoral Education of the EUA gathered many higher education and research stakeholders from Europe and beyond to discuss the use of data in doctoral education.

The challenge of implementing research assessment in Europe was the first topic discussed during this meeting, with the participants going back to the creation of Coara (Coalition for the Advancement of Research Evaluation) in 2022 and its commitments to guide its implementation in different countries.

Research assessment at national levels is already facing some challenges, notably existing norms and traditions, and a potential reform is now an option.

Data collection in doctoral education also drained a lot of discussions: practice was reported to be very different depending on countries (and, sometimes, states).

If a positive outcome was outlined, mainly for its role in showing its importance for research and society, and the condition under which it is achieved, participants shared the recommendation to develop…