AEngD to debate the future for science and engineering doctorates

(7 October 2015) - Pursuing its objective to support EngD brand-building, including acceptance and recognition of engineering doctorate degrees within host institutions and industry, the AEngD is urging EngD centre directors to attend a forthcoming UKCGE workshop on the future for science and engineering doctorates.

The UK Council for Graduate Education is hosting a one-day workshop in Bristol on 3 November 2015. It will focus on identifying recent developments in doctoral education in the sciences and engineering (STEM subjects), including the content and format of training and development, thesis structure and degree outcomes. It will explore the evolution of PhD, EngD and professional doctorate programmes in these subjects and consider how funding and other policy decisions are affecting their development.

Speakers will include UK research council representatives, together with programme directors of industrial PhDs and other doctorates from across the UK and mainland Europe.

AEngD representatives include Dr David Stanley, EngD programme manager at the University of Manchester, who will be talking on "The Engineering Doctorate as a vehicle for developing future technical leaders for industry – the Manchester experience".

Dr Maggie Wilson and Dr Jim Fleming of the EPSRC (both engaged in numerous detailed conversations with the AEngD) will be leading a roundtable discussion on industrial contributions to doctoral programmes.

Further details regarding the event are available on the UKCGE website here.

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Notes for editors

1          AEngD

The Association of Engineering Doctorates was established in 2010 and quickly encompassed almost all of the EPSRC-designated centres awarding EngD degrees at UK universities, with industry sponsors, existing EngD research engineers and alumni as associate members. A community engaged in research in engineering and related disciplines, it aims to:

• promote acceptance and recognition of Engineering Doctorate (EngD) degrees within host institutions and industry
• promote excellence and maintain the quality of EngD degrees
• develop wider and more strategic industrial research collaboration
• identify and promote the benefits and impacts from EngD research
• recruit sufficient and suitable top quality research projects
• attract and recruit high calibre Research Engineers (REs)
• develop and promote taught programmes tailored to REs and industry needs
• encourage strong academic engagement and feed back into the host institutions' research base

2          EngD

The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) scheme was established by the EPSRC in 1992 (following recommendations of the 1990 Engineering Doctorate Report, produced by a working group chaired by Professor Parnaby). The first EngD programmes began in 1992.

Research interests embrace all major areas of engineering, manufacturing and related disciplines including:

• Biopharmaceuticals
• Bioprocess engineering
• Construction, the built environment, transport, and sustainability
• Materials science (including metal coatings, micro- and nano-materials, and composites)
• Energy technologies
• Formulation engineering
• Systems engineering
• Information technologies
• Machining science
• Non-destructive evaluation
• Optics and photonics
• Water engineering
• Virtual environments and visualisation

3    Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

As the main funding agency for engineering and physical sciences research, our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world to Research, Discover and Innovate.

By investing £800 million a year in research and postgraduate training, we are building the knowledge and skills base needed to address the scientific and technological challenges facing the nation. Our portfolio covers a vast range of fields from healthcare technologies to structural engineering, manufacturing to mathematics, advanced materials to chemistry. The research we fund has impact across all sectors. It provides a platform for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone's health, lifestyle and culture.