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A Professional Doctorate in the Built Environment Ian Frame 5 th December 2007

A Professional Doctorate in the Built Environment Ian Frame 5 th December 2007 Forum for the Built Environment East Anglia Branch. Faculty of Science & Technology. Department of the Built Environment.

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A Professional Doctorate in the Built Environment Ian Frame 5 th December 2007

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  1. A Professional Doctorate in the Built Environment Ian Frame 5th December 2007 Forum for the Built Environment East Anglia Branch Faculty of Science & Technology Department of the Built Environment

  2. The potential value of doctoral level research for you and the construction industry could be very high. A doctorate: • Is the highest university qualification • Advances knowledge and practice • Solves problems • Improves performance, develops new techniques • Develops intellect • Develops theory and builds models • Tests theory and practice • Demonstrates critical use of extensive literature • Displays rigorous methodology, producing sound evidence • Provides apprenticeship in research design & operation • Brings about significant change in practice But, can you afford the time to come to university to complete a PhD in 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time?

  3. Some problems with the conventional Ph.D. for Built Environment Students • The focus of many new built environment graduates is on becoming professionally qualified • This involves gaining a series of competencies during a period of professional practice, post BSc • Once qualified they can reap the rewards of professional status both financially and through holding responsible company positions • The full-time Ph.D. cannot help in this endeavour

  4. Problems with the conventional Ph.D. cont’d • Once chartered, in mid-career, they cannot afford the time to attend university for three years • They might lose touch with industry • They may lose important promotional opportunities • Ph.D. research tends to focus on a very narrow topic area which may not meet the needs of industry • This narrow focus may not help them develop the skills they need for their employment • Supervision tends to be by just one person In short, the Ph.D. is unlikely to meet your needs or that of industry

  5. Characteristics of the Professional Doctorate (Pr.D.) • Has all the advantages of the Ph.D. without the disadvantages • Can be completed in 3 to 4 years, largely in the workplace • Based on originality and contribution to knowledge • Candidates develop practice-focused expert knowledge & skill • Cohort based and supervised by a multi-disciplinary team • Employer is the client commissioning the work • Workplace is the laboratory for research • Focus is on the professional needs of industry • Work-based, solution-oriented research • Combines action research with reflective practice • High value placed on transferability of research finds to the workplace & professional practice • Enhances candidates reputation and that of their company

  6. The Built Environment Pr.D. programme Professional qualification or direct MSc entry Stage 1 (PGDip) 16 to 36 months Submission of 3 7000 word Papers Research Proposal (4 pages) Stage 2 20 to 48 months Execution of research and completion of a 60000 word thesis (ProfD) or 30000 word thesis (MProf) External examination of the Thesis and Viva to exactly the same standard as a PhD or MPhil

  7. Support for the Professional Doctorate The programme is supported by: • Workshops delivered by a strong multi-disciplinary built environment research team, • Individual tutorials with supervisors, • Central University training • Candidates themselves - supporting each other as a multi-discipline cohort • Each year cohort - supporting the next • Virtual learning environment (WebCT) • Workplace mentoring

  8. A study model for the Professional Doctorate must include the workplace

  9. A Study Model for the Professional Doctorate

  10. Inductive/Deductive Reasoning – Linking specific practice with theory. Practice sharpens theory and theory informs practice Inductive Reasoning Specific Experience Generalisation, Theory Deductive Reasoning

  11. Conceptual Conclusions Identification of Workplace Problems Interpretative Conclusions Research Question(s) Conceptual Framework for the Research Factual Conclusions for the Workplace Research Design FIELDWORK Contribution to Knowledge Gap in Knowledge Visualising Professional Doctoral Research Research Issue Adapted from Source: Trafford, V.N. and Leshem, S. 2007

  12. Professional Doctorate in the Built Environment Pr.D. • Thus, the Pr.D. is specifically designed and tailored for senior professionals who wish to study at doctoral level and who work in organisations that appreciate the benefits that accrue from this special form of education • The focus of study is on your own professional practice and the needs of industry. But it’s at doctoral level so: You get to put Dr in front of your name Your firm gets a problem solved and perhaps industry gets improved professional practice…….

  13. Thank you for Listening. If you are interested, please contact Ian Frame Director of the Professional Doctorate. Reader in the Built Environment c.i.frame@anglia.ac.uk

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