Follow-up of doctoral education
Halmstad University conducts an annual follow-up of its doctoral education to support quality assurance and quality enhancement. The follow-up is an integral part of the University’s quality assurance system and is based on collegial analysis, dialogue and continuity. It provides an overall picture of the quality of doctoral education over time and serves as an important basis for planning and development within each doctoral education subject and across the Schools.
Purpose of the follow-up
- To establish systematic follow-up and documentation of the quality assurance work carried out within each doctoral education subject.
- To ensure that doctoral education is of high quality and meets the requirements applicable to doctoral education.
- To identify areas for development and follow up improvement measures that have been implemented.
- To document and report measures identified through evaluations.
- To strengthen collegial responsibility and active quality enhancement within doctoral education.
- To support long-term planning and clear priorities for the development of doctoral education.
How the follow-up is conducted
The follow-up of doctoral education is conducted annually and includes both written reporting and collegial dialogue. The process is led by the Director of Studies in close collaboration with the group of supervisors and is based on a joint analysis of the quality of the education and its development needs. Doctoral students are given the opportunity to contribute their views, which are taken into account in the subsequent work.
The results are compiled in a report in the Hypergene decision support system and discussed by the School Advisory Board before the report is formally approved. The results are then followed up in dialogue with the University’s Advisory Board for Quality Assurance, where common areas for development and any necessary measures are identified. In this way, the process promotes a systematic and learning-oriented approach in which the Schools and University management work jointly to enhance the quality of doctoral education.
Collegial dialogue and development
The follow-up is a collegial process in which the group of supervisors and the Director of Studies jointly reflect on the strengths, challenges and development needs of doctoral education. The work draws on both qualitative reflections and relevant data, such as completion and progression rates, doctoral student satisfaction as reflected, for example, in the Doctoral Student Barometer, and other quality indicators. Collegial dialogue and shared responsibility are central components of the process and contribute to the long-term quality of doctoral education.
The results are reviewed by the School and discussed with University management. The follow-up report thus constitutes a central component of the quality assurance system and supports planning, development and quality assurance at all levels of doctoral education.
