Context for the Framework
In particular, doctoral graduates will be key in Ireland’s future efforts to address grand challenges such as climate change, health and wellbeing and digital transformation.
Furthermore, ‘Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy’ emphasises the importance of doctoral students in providing the necessary talent pipeline to drive research excellence and enhance Ireland’s international reputation in Research. The continuing evolution of its research landscape, which includes the establishment of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science and the commencement of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022, makes Ireland an exciting place to undertake research and embark on doctoral education.
A 2021 study performed by EUA Solutions on the level of implementation of the National Framework for Doctoral Education (NFDE) within Irish higher education institutions (HEIs) found that the framework was fully embedded across HEIs, that HEIs have professionalised the delivery of the doctorate and through the framework, Ireland has successfully reformed its doctoral education to be in line with developments in continental Europe and the United Kingdom. These findings reflect the commitment of HEIs to continually improve standards in doctoral education and the importance of the NFDE in providing overarching principles to ensure the quality of the doctorate awarded across all HEIs in Ireland is of the highest standard.
The Irish research landscape has changed significantly since the NFDE was first published in 2015. The minor changes made to this iteration of the NFDE aim to build on the previous publication to ensure that doctoral graduates continue to have the necessary skills to flourish in careers both in and outside of academia. As such, the updates reflect the changes in the landscape and also address gaps in the original framework. New frameworks and policies introduced since the initial publication of the Framework are also contributing to the student experience and to supports available. Amongst these new frameworks and policies, the institution wide implementation by HEIs of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework and the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework are underpinning structures aimed at improving the quality of mental health supports, wellbeing and suicide prevention initiatives available to all students, including research students and their supervisors. In addition to the HEA’s statutory responsibility to promote the attainment of equality of opportunity in higher education, the HEA’s National Review of Gender Equality in Higher Education Institutions (2016), the Report of the Gender Equality Taskforce: Gender Action Plan 2018 –2022 and 2nd National Review of Gender Equality in Higher Education Institutions (2022) have explicit recommendations and actions for HEIs in relation to the advancement of gender equality, including attainment of Athena Swan certification and eligibility for research funding. The Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Higher Education Institutions Implementation Plan, and the Race Equality in the Higher Education Sector Implementation Plan are also being embedded across institutions.
HE Institutions report on the implementation of many of these Frameworks through the HEA System Performance Framework and to the HEA Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. This ensures that there is accountability for the doctoral students learning environment and ensures that it adheres to standards set by international best practice.