摘要：This paper presents the results of a small pedagogic research project funded by the GEES Subject Centre Small-Scale Projects, conducted with GEES PhD students across 3 HEIs. The research investigated student rationales for undertaking their research degrees, and their associated perceptions of the value of their institution’s research training programmes. Results are presented from students in response to three key questions asked on these themes during Nominal Group Technique (NGT) focus groups. The paper provides background information on current debates with respect to the UK doctorate and researcher development more generally. It concludes with some recommendations for university doctoral training providers and finally presents some much larger questions which could spark a national and interesting debate about whether a doctorate in the GEES disciplines is in fact fit-for-purpose.
