Survey seeks views on the role of PhDs in business
Views sought from businesses on how employing PhDs can help deliver their research, development, and innovation activities.
The role of PhDs in business
PhD research skills can play a role in businesses in Northern Ireland. They can support research, development, and innovation activity, help grow business turnover and exports, attract foreign direct investment, and prepare businesses for the future.
Survey to evaluate and shape effectiveness
The Department for the Economy (DfE) provides Northern Ireland's universities with funding for PhDs through its sponsored postgraduate awards to develop research skills. DfE has commissioned a survey, which is part of a review to identify and understand the benefits of the PhD funding and explore the potential future redesign of the scheme.
The review seeks to understand:
- what skills businesses require from PhD graduates;
- to what degree do businesses employ PhD holders to meet those skills needs; and
- what benefits PhDs bring to businesses.
- potential barriers that might prevent businesses from employing a PhD graduate;
- how these barriers might be addressed; and
- insights about alternative methods used by businesses (who do not employ PhD holders) to meet their skills requirements.
DfE has commissioned RSM UK Consulting to develop the survey to help inform the review. The survey responses will assist DfE in developing its future approach to PhD funding for Northern Ireland's universities, to grow the economy and with a particular emphasis on supporting DfE's 10X economic vision for a decade of innovation.
How to complete the survey
Who should complete the survey
Northern Ireland businesses are invited to complete the survey online. The survey should be completed by someone who has oversight of your skills needs and the people you employ. For those that do employ PhDs, the survey wants to know how PhD skills benefit the business, in particular research, development and innovation activities. For businesses that do not employ PhDs, the survey wants to learn about potential barriers to employing PhDs that might be addressed going forward to more effectively meet businesses' research, development and innovation needs.
Information you may need to complete the survey
The survey will take no more than 10 minutes to complete. To help you respond, it would be helpful if you had the following information to hand:
- your latest approximate turnover and employee headcount numbers;
- the number of PhDs you employ/have employed (if applicable); and
- the approximate level of investment in research and development and innovation.
The research is confidential, and you will not be named or otherwise identified.
First published 12 January 2023