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Bob the retired academic's avatar

Couldn't you say PhD alternatives are evolving by themselves - starting spinout companies has become highly desirable to those who want to flex a different range of skills. New funding models are emerging including various accelerator programmes and Tyler Cowens Emergent Ventures, and Fast Grants programmes.

Interestingly these are not linked to the credentialism of a PhD, in those endeavors results need to speak for themselves (/ people need to sell themselves). The question might be what purpose does credentialism serve is it useful, what is the function of the PhD and academic system, does it do that effectively? If it doesn't is it new credentials that are needed, if yes why?

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Omer Rana's avatar

Wonderful writeup Prof. Serious. It would be good to understand how the new model that you propose could be carried through an accreditation process. There is certainly a need to explore a process beyond the current PhD model - as you mention above and EngD would be an interesting addition that has a more engineering focus. Having examined PhD in Engineering Schools, I believe this already happens. Perhaps giving this route more formal recognition (and clarifying learning items and focus) would be good. Would be great to trial this? Kind regards, Omer

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