Glasgow, 18 October – The leading universities of science and technology united within CESAER, the international association of leading specialised and comprehensive universities with a strong science and technology profile, released a new report titled Models of Engagement for PhDs with Non-Academic Partners.
This report, developed under the leadership of association’s Task Force Innovation, highlights evolving models of engagement between PhD candidates and non-academic partners, such as industry. CESAER focuses on how these collaborations can enhance societal engagement, drive innovation, and promote disruptive advancements across Europe.
Authored by a team led by Yvonne Kinnaird from the University of Strathclyde, this report explores how partnerships between universities and non-academic entities—especially through “industrial doctorate” programs—can serve as key drivers of innovation. The recommendations outlined in the report provide a strategic roadmap for fostering stronger collaborations between universities, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and EU institutions to advance Europe’s leadership in research and innovation.
Key recommendations:
- To university leaders: enhance partnerships with industry to create more industrial doctorate opportunities and improve career pathways for PhD candidates.
- To industry partners: provide greater financial and practical support for industrial doctorate programs and collaborate with universities to tailor research training to industry needs.
- To policymakers: create supportive policies and funding mechanisms to strengthen industrial doctorate programmes and foster innovation across sectors.
- To EU institutions: expand funding for industrial doctorate initiatives through programs like Horizon Europe and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, while streamlining regulations for easier collaboration between academia and industry.
The full report is available here for download and dissemination (PDF).
The report highlights that programs such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are pivotal in nurturing the next generation of researchers and innovators in Europe. The MSCA has played a key role in attracting talent and advancing research careers, yet to unlock the full potential of these initiatives, modernised research assessments, the safeguarding of academic freedom, and the creation of new funding frameworks are essential. By strengthening these structures, PhD candidates will be better equipped to drive future European innovations and address global challenges. This was emphasised by Manuel Heitor, CESAER Envoy on Research Careers and Full Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico.
The findings offer universities and industries a clear framework to establish meaningful partnerships, allowing PhD candidates to engage in real-world problem-solving while advancing their academic pursuits, noted Yvonne Kinnaird, the report’s lead author, Secretary of Task Force Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Policy & Outreach Manager at University of Strathclyde.
Tim Bedford, Vice-President of CESAER and Associate Principal for Research and Innovation at the University of Strathclyde, pointed out that industrial doctorates are vital in bridging the gap between academia and industry. By aligning academic research with practical challenges, these partnerships enhance the career prospects of PhD candidates and stimulate impactful innovation. “To stay competitive and address global challenges, it is essential for universities and industry to collaborate closely, ensuring that the next generation of researchers is equipped to lead Europe’s future in research and innovation,” he said.
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