Attracting and retaining talent at universities Thomas Ekman Jørgensen 11 May 2015 Fostering attractive research careers
EUA Council for Doctoral Education EUA European University Association 850 universities and rectors conferences in 47 countries Developing evidencebased policies Advocating these policies Promoting development of universities as institutions Council for Doctoral Education (CDE) a membership service focused on doctoral education Development of doctoral schools Doctorate-specific policy development 234 members in 35 countries (from Faro to Tomsk) 2
New trends Technological possibilities Revolution in gathering and sharing data Ease of communication (email, Skype, teleconferences) Ease of physical mobility Open science Large investment in research and development in emerging economies China, India and Brazil are prominent Large increases in doctoral education Brazil 100 % increase 2000-2009, China 400 % (!) 1998-2008 Beginnings of a more multipolar research landscape? With converging trends 3
Convergence I - Discourse The language of the knowledge society has become global Challenges are to be met with new knowledge and innovation CODOC survey responses: [Doctoral education] is key. It is the basis of innovative and research interventions in society s problems (South Africa) Doctoral education is very important since it is the driving force towards societal and economic development. Additionally, societal and economic development require knowledge societies that are based on high skilled human resources (Malaysia) Extremely important in the current world of global knowledge society, where the complexities of world and local problems require people with high level education to solve them (Tanzania) 4
Convergence II - Growth We have seen remarkable growth over the last decade 150 140 Growth in doctorates awarded in the EU, USA and Latin America 2004=100 130 120 110 European Union (27 countries) United States Latin America 100 90 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 5
The global picture more investment in R&D Billions 1200 Absolute spending on R&D in OECD and upper middle income countries (stable 2005$) Source: World Bank 1000 800 600 400 200 0 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Upper Middle Income 6 OECD
6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Big gaps in HR for R&D Researchers per million population - Source: World Bank 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 European Union United States Japan China EU 50% increase China 95% increase Despite growth, it will take a lot for the EU and China to reach the levels of US and Japan 7
Growth II: Upgrading staff: % of research and teaching staff with a PhD average % 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Source: CODOC Survey 2011 28 33 41 42 49 62 28 31 40 Africa Asia Latin America 5 years ago Currently in 3 years time 8
Growth III: Do the numbers add up? No Already in 2011, 1 in 4 has problems (more in Africa and Latin America) Completion rates do not rise as fast as the intake Growth emphasises the need for capacity Do you manage to recruit and retain sufficient doctorate holders for your own institution? 9 No 24% Yes 76% Source: CODOC Survey 2011
Recruitment (and brain drain) a problem for European universities Funding Recruitment of researchers Brain drain Other (e.g. national legislation and policies, geographical location of the institution) Institutional autonomy Percentage of universities 0 20 40 60 80 100 Scientific policies/priorities Source: EUA ERA survey 2012 N=155 10
Insufficient national talent pipelines? Some systems have expanded postgraduate admissions much more than the increase in Masters and Bachelor graduates Funding is increasingly dependent on performance Competition through rankings (national and global) Universities are rectruiting internationally at PhD level UK 29% of admissions from outside (2012) France 42% (2011-12) 11
Summarising questions Has the rise in R&D investment not taken the talent into account? Can international recruitment continue to fill the gap Problems of quality International candidates not always research ready Ethical challenge brain drain Should we look at the whole pipeline? Access to education social and cultural barriers Is research-based education working through the university system? 12
Thank you very much for your attention! 13