Experiences of Nordic doctoral students and early career researchers focusing on VET research
The knowledge produced in the project will inform the development of supervision and mentoring of doctoral students who focus on the field of VET. The findings increase understanding about the experiences of early career researchers and benefit enhancement of research capacities in the field of Nordic VET.
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Project description
The “Experiences of Nordic doctoral students and early career researchers focusing on VET research” (EXPERTVET) project investigates the experiences of doctoral students and early career researchers who are conducting their doctoral studies in relation to the field of vocational education and training (VET) or have finished their studies in this field recently in one of the Nordic countries (Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland). The project explores how the supervisory relations, guidance and networking during doctoral studies as well as other possible students’ activities support their evolving agency as beginning researchers. Vocational education and training (VET) research is a specific area of research in relation to other areas of education. It is related to the different economic and industrial sectors of society and, accordingly, the structure of the VET system is oriented towards the world of work. This is reflected in the way the competitive education system channels students into VET. These complexities related to the societal role of VET provide the context for studies in VET.Still,it is not very well known how doctoral researchers interested in VET experience their journey to become researchers. While studies have been conducted on topics such as the interests of Nordic PhD students, transitions to the world of work and academic careers, studies on doctoral researchers interested in VET have been exception, and their experiences have not been compared. The knowledge produced in the project will inform the development of supervision and mentoring of doctoral students who focus on the field of VET. The findings increase understanding about the experiences of early career researchers and benefit enhancement of research capacities in the field of Nordic VET.
The study builds on researchers' collaboration in NordYrk. NordYrk is the Nordic research network on vocational education and training (VET). The participating countries are Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. The network aims at strengthening the research base of the field.
