Supporting Data From the ESRC Review of the PhD in the Social Sciences, 2020-2021

The data deposited the results of a survey of social science doctoral students and recent graduates. The survey data provides insights into current students’ and recent graduates’ views on and experiences of doctoral training in the social sciences. The survey explores motivations for pursuing a PhD; views on skills training, assessment and supervision; future career plans (current students) or current employment (graduates); and the impact of doctoral study on wellbeing. The offer also includes summary notes of workshops with students, PhD supervisors and senior higher education stakeholders where the potential strengths and limitations of alternative approaches to doctoral training were debated.