university of aberdeen phd education

We value your privacy

We use cookies to allow this site to work for you, improve your user experience, and to serve you advertising tailored to your interests. Let us know if you agree to all cookies. You can manage your preferences at any time

Your Privacy

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

Personalise what you see on this page.

• United States

LOOKING FOR

• Undergraduate courses
• Postgraduate courses
• CHOOSE ONE OR MORE

Popular universities

• University of Kent
• University of East Anglia UEA
• University of Chester
• Coventry University

University of Aberdeen

• University of Portmouth
• Nottingham Trent University
• University of Sunderland
• London Metropolitan University
• London South Bank University
• University of East London
• BROWSE ALL UNIVERSITIES

Course search

Popular undergraduate courses.

• Computer Science
• LLB Bachelor of Laws
• Biomedical Sciences
• Physiotherapy
• Sports Science

Open days search

Upcoming open days.

• University of Wales Trinity Saint David
• Arts University Bournemouth
• University of Roehampton
• New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE)

Article search

Popular articles.

• What is UCAS Extra?
• Replying to offers
• What's a university open day
• Student finance and funding
• Types of degree in the UK
• BROWSE ALL ARTICLES

Popular topics

• Choosing what to study
• Choosing where to study
• Applying to university
• League tables
• Student life - after you start

Education PhD University of Aberdeen

Course options

Qualification.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

• TUITION FEES
• ENTRY REQUIREMENT
• UNIVERSITY INFO

Course summary

The School of Education is at the forefront of Educational research internationally and offers a dynamic and inclusive research culture. We welcome enquiries from potential students to collaborate with our staff and professional partners to investigate the complexities of education and its underpinning values and beliefs.

We have a thriving community of research students and you could join our international community from every continent across the world. We offer flexibility through online learning, enabling you to study with us anywhere and receive support from experienced educational professionals.

Our graduates go on to careers in academia, some go on to work in a range of public service roles including government roles and policy making. Some graduates go on to develop careers in wider civic society using the knowledge and skills they have developed for social good.

Tuition fees

• Afghanistan
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Congo (Democratic Republic)
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Ivory Coast
• Korea DPR (North Korea)
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• Palestinian Authority
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Republic of Ireland
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts & Nevis
• Switzerland
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City
• Western Samoa

£ 21,700 per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

University League Table

Campus address.

University of Aberdeen, Directorate of External Relations, King's College, Aberdeen, Aberdeen, City Of, AB24 3FX, Scotland

Subject rankings

Subject ranking.

21st out of 89 2

Entry standards

Graduate prospects

Student satisfaction

Is this page useful?

Sorry about that..., how can we improve it, thanks for your feedback.

• Home »

University of Aberdeen

Find your perfect postgrad program search our database of 30,000 courses.

https://www.abdn.ac.uk

The University of Aberdeen is Scotland’s third oldest university and the fifth   oldest in the UK. Founded by Bishop William Elphinstone in 1495 , the beautiful campus attracts a diverse international community of over 14,000 students   from over   130 countries. The University of Aberdeen is ranked as a Top 20 UK university by the Guardian University Guide 2024 and Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, and ranks among the best 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023). It also ranks second across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for student satisfaction in The National Student Survey 2023.

Postgraduate Programmes

Online programmes.

Departments

Business School School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History School of Education School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture School of Law School of Social Science School of Biological Sciences School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition School of Psychology School of Engineering School of Geosciences School of Natural and Computing Sciences

Our multidisciplinary research centres and institutes bring together experts at the cutting-edge of their fields, and there is a Postgraduate Research School which offers support and advice to our PhD students.

Outstanding Facilities

The University’s state-of-the-art Science Teaching Hub opened its doors in 2022, providing specialist teaching, training and learning facilities for students across a number of disciplines including chemistry, medical sciences, biological sciences and geosciences.

Aberdeen Sports Village is the premier sports facility in the North-East of Scotland. ASV boasts an Olympic-size swimming pool, a full-size indoor 3G football pitch, indoor and outdoor running tracks, a large gym and fitness suite, squash courts, and many more facilities.  

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Student experience.

The Student Support Team is also on hand to offer impartial and confidential advice and support to students on a wide range of issues including personal, academic, disabilities, wellbeing and more.

Accommodation

Fees funding and scholarships.

Find information about our upcoming Open Days, campus visits and virtual events by visiting our website .

The University of Aberdeen is holding a Postgraduate Virtual Open Day on Thursday 28th March. You can speak with current students, watch live presentations, and ask questions of our experts throughout the event!

The event will be held across two sessions, 10am to midday, and 5pm to 7pm, and you only need to attend one session. You can register for the event and find out more here .

Aberdeen AB24 3FX

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.abdn.ac.uk Telephone: +44 (0)1224 272090

Facebook: facebook.com/universityofaberdeen

• Business School
• School of Biological Sciences
• School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History
• School of Education
• School of Engineering
• School of Geosciences
• School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture
• School of Law
• School of Medical Sciences
• School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
• School of Natural and Computing Sciences
• School of Psychology
• School of Social Science

Scholarship Opportunity with Postgrad.com

Are you a PG student at this University or have you applied to study a postgraduate program at a university in Europe? Tell us your plans and qualify for a £500.00 PGS Scholarship.

Exclusive bursaries Open day alerts Funding advice Application tips Latest PG news

Sign up now!

Take 2 minutes to sign up to PGS student services and reap the benefits…

• The chance to apply for one of our 5 PGS Bursaries worth £2,000 each
• Fantastic scholarship updates
• Latest PG news sent directly to you.

Ready for your legal career? Apply now to start your journey at The University of Law this Summer.

Find out more!

• Skip to content
• About Accessibility on our website

• Staff Directory
• University Home

Embrace Education

Education. It’s more than just teaching. It’s about inspiration. It’s about commitment and seeking knowledge, standing on the shoulders of giants, and paving the way for those to come.

MyAberdeen  | School Intranet

Our cookies

We use cookies for three reasons: to give you the best experience on PGS, to make sure the PGS ads you see on other sites are relevant , and to measure website usage. Some of these cookies are necessary to help the site work properly and can’t be switched off. Cookies also support us to provide our services for free, and by click on “Accept” below, you are agreeing to our use of cookies .You can manage your preferences now or at any time.

Privacy overview

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

Functional cookies

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

Performance cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

Marketing cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

University of Aberdeen

• REQUEST INFO
• Course and lecturers
• Entry requirements
• Job prospects

Accommodation & facilities

Scholarships/bursaries, postgraduate student body breakdown source: hesa , 2021.

• Study mode: This university 35% Part Time 65% Full Time
• Study mode: All universities (avg) 44% Part Time 56% Full Time
• Student nationality 57% UK 43% International
• Study level 10,105 Undergraduate 4,950 Postgraduate
• New students 33% School leavers 67% Mature students

The University of Aberdeen is an internationally rated public university located in Scotland’s third largest city. It was rated 26th in the UK according to the 2022 Whatuni Student Choice Awards and placed 35th in the Complete University Guide 2024 league table. 

Originally founded in 1495, the university is the fifth oldest university across the UK and the third oldest in Scotland. Aberdeen continues to build on this extensive academic history, offering over 180 postgraduate programmes and a research-intensive study environment. 

The university’s activities are mainly based around Old Aberdeen and Foresterhill. Together, these campuses offer an impressive blend of historic architecture and academic tradition, combined with modern amenities and cutting-edge research facilities. Postgraduate students will find themselves near the centre of Aberdeen, with easy access to other university buildings and everything the city has to offer. 

Aberdeen is a coastal city in the east of Scotland, known for its distinctive granite architecture, high quality of regional produce and innovative cuisine. Students at the university will be able to explore the city between their studies, whether it’s an impressive range of museums and galleries or the bustling city harbour. The surrounding regions offer plenty to do during downtime, including various castles, royal residences, stunning coastlines and the famous Cairngorms National Park. 

Graduates of Aberdeen will join an extensive network of alumni stretching back hundreds of years, including figures such as Ali Smith, Iain Glen, Nick Campbell and Alistair Darling. 

Course and Lecturers

The University of Aberdeen is a distinguished institution offering a wide range of postgraduate programmes to suit every level of study and objective. 

The university offers more than 120 taught master’s courses across many different subjects, including qualifications such as MA, MSc, MLitt, MBA and more. Aberdeen is notable for its flexible approach to taught study options, as it places a focus on cross-disciplinary study opportunities, professional placements and overseas study options. 

The university also offers a range of online degrees and remote learning options, allowing students to gain a qualification around their existing lifestyle. Online short courses allow students to take the next step in their careers, while online degrees mean postgraduates can get the same degree as on-site students on a part-time basis. 

Aberdeen is a research-focused university and invests heavily in facilities and partnerships, which help its students and academics make real impacts to their respective fields. Postgraduate research students can pursue MPhil, PhD or professional doctorate degrees with the support of expert staff and modern facilities. Students can choose to design their own project, find an existing project or enter into a doctoral training programme through an associated doctoral training centre. 

Entry Requirements

Students applying for a postgraduate course at the University of Aberdeen will need to meet the entry requirements of their chosen programme before they will receive an offer of study. The criteria for entry may vary according to the level of study and subject area chosen by the applicant. 

For example, applicants applying to the MSc in Medical Physics will need to achieve a second-class grade or higher in an undergraduate honours degree in a physical science or engineering discipline. International equivalents are also considered. 

Applicants for the LLM in Criminal Justice will need a 2:1 or higher graded degree in law, or a related discipline. International equivalents also considered. 

Students applying to the MLitt in English Language and Literature will need to show evidence of a 2:1 or higher graded degree in English literature, or a related area such across the arts, humanities or social science disciplines. 

Entry requirements for postgraduate courses at Aberdeen may change over time, so applicants should check the university’s website for up-to-date information. 

Job Prospects

Postgraduate students at the University of Aberdeen benefit from strong graduate prospects, with employers valuing the university’s effective approach to education and focus on practical experience and research output. This is reflected in the 96% employment or further study rate for Aberdeen graduates within six months of completing their studies. 

The university supports graduate employability through contemporary curricula that equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in modern professional and academic environments. Teachers and faculty at Aberdeen are prominent academics and active researchers, and often bring professional expertise and industry connections to the classroom. 

Aberdeen has a Careers and Employability Service that enhances student employability through various means. Students benefit from ongoing advice and guidance throughout their studies and beyond, delivered online or in-person by career professionals. 

Postgraduate students at the university will have access to a range of careers fairs, employer events and networking opportunities. As a result, many are able to form valuable connections and arrange graduate employment, internships or industrial experience before or shortly after their graduation. 

Additional programmes such as the Leadership Academy, Career Mentoring and professional skills courses further prepare students for career success. 

Accommodation

Postgraduate students at the University of Aberdeen can choose from a wide variety of accommodation options, whatever their lifestyle or budget. 

There are several residences available to postgraduate learners, including: 

• Fyfe House, offering single rooms at £92 per week. These are self-catered rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. 
• Wavell House, offering single rooms at £92 per week. They are self-catered with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. 
• Elphinstone Road Flats, offering shared bathroom single rooms from £108 per week and en-suite rooms for £156 per week. They are self-catered with shared kitchen facilities. 
• South House, offering shared bathroom options from £119 per week and en-suite options for £156 per week. 
• Kings Hall, offering single rooms at £156 per week. These are en-suite rooms with shared kitchen facilities. 

Rental prices at Aberdeen are inclusive of bills, covering utilities, Wi-Fi and contents insurance. 

Some students may prefer to rent privately and will have a wide choice of student lets across the city of Aberdeen. The city offers a great student lifestyle due to its low cost of living, wide range of food and leisure options, and coastal location.  

Postgraduate students at the University of Aberdeen will be able to benefit from a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, which are designed to reduce the barriers to entry for higher education and support ongoing academic achievement. 

Students may be eligible for different awards depending on their subject area, level of study or country of origin. Other characteristics or course features may also influence a student’s eligibility. 

Some of the available funding options include: 

• The University of Aberdeen Alumni Discount Scheme, which offers postgraduate students a 20% fee waiver if they have already completed a degree at the university. 
• Various scholarships which are specific to certain disciplines. These may be offered through the university, one of its departments or an external organisation. Students can find details of these events on the university’s funding database. 
• Bursaries are available to some students depending on their financial situation or background. Further details can be found on the university’s funding database. 
• Studentships and scholarships are available to postgraduate research students through a variety of organisations, including research councils and doctoral training centres. Details can be found on the university’s funding database. 

Popular subjects

Find a course at this uni, energy economics, management and conservation, counselling skills, health studies, arbitration.

Online degrees and awards

Earn a recognised Masters degree with a university founded in 1495. No need for a career break – you can study flexibly, part-time, online.

Featured degrees and awards

Earn your Masters in Finance online with an EQUIS accredited business school. Study flexibly around full-time work, with optional courses to help you prepare for CFA® Program exams.

• Online learning
• September or January

Planetary Sciences

Move into a career in the space industry, whatever your academic background. Join our online Masters degree and study anywhere, at your own pace.

Join the only ancient UK university offering an online MBA Global. Study flexibly and earn your MBA Global online with our EQUIS accredited business school.

Renewable Energy Engineering

Become an engineer in the renewable energy sector with our triple-accredited online MSc. Train online with internationally experienced engineers and learn direct from industry.

Scottish Heritage

Explore the rich history, art and philosophy of Scotland and its people. Access rare archive treasures and award-winning online teaching, with this flexible online Masters.

Clinical Education

Become an outstanding clinical educator with our distance learning clinical education training. Study online with us and earn your PgCert, PgDip or MSc in Clinical Education while you work. 10% NHS staff discount.

New Testament and Early Christianity

Earn a postgraduate diploma in the New Testament and Early Christianity, flexibly, online. Learn with us anywhere and manage your study hours to suit you.

Clinical Nutrition

Join an online Nutrition degree accredited by the Association for Nutrition. Study the link between diet and health, and how issues of over and undernutrition affect populations today. 10% NHS staff discount.

Health Data Science

Learn the interdisciplinary skills you need to become an exceptional health data scientist. Join an online MSc Health Data Science that fits around full-time work. 10% NHS staff discount.

Energy Transition Systems and Technologies

Join an online MSc that’s training the next generation of systems engineers. Help our planet transition from oil and gas to net-zero, with a degree you can study online, flexibly.

International Trade Law

Develop the knowledge to practise trade law or work for governments, international businesses and NGOs. Join this flexible online LLM you can study part-time, with optional Professional Skills training in treaty negotiation.

• Blended learning

Browse degrees and awards

36 result s

Advanced Clinical Practice

Develop your advancing career in healthcare with a uniquely flexible MSc Advanced Clinical Practice, tailored just for you. 10% NHS staff discount.

Applied Health Sciences

Earn a Masters, Postgraduate Diploma, or Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Health Sciences with our flexible online and on-campus courses. 10% NHS staff discount.

Christianity and the Visual Arts

Join us online to explore the relationship between art and faith in the Christian world. Study our 100% online Christian art degree flexibly with an ancient university founded in 1495.

Data Science

Study data science intensively online, whatever your graduate field, and meet the rapidly growing demand for data scientists in the workforce.

Decommissioning

Join the world’s first and only accredited online Masters degree in decommissioning oil rigs, platforms and offshore structures.

Dispute Resolution

Enhance your non-court dispute resolution skills with this online Masters accredited by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Energy Economics and Finance

Learn to analyse and understand world energy markets. From oil and gas to renewables, prepare for career success with our expert economists on this flexible degree you can study part-time.

Geographical Information Systems

Prepare for a career in the innovative field of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Build your skills in this essential area of the world’s information infrastructure.

Health Economics for Health Professionals

Advance your career in health. Develop sought-after research skills and build your knowledge of health economics tools and principles. 10% NHS staff discount.

Leadership in Professional Contexts

Fast-track your career in the public or third sector. Train with experts and join a part-time online MSc you can study while you work.

Marketing Management

Join an online Masters in marketing management that’s designed to fit into your life – with flexible hours and no exams.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Join a flexible online Master of Public Health (MPH) you can study part-time and tailor to you. Choose from a wide range of courses to focus your training. 10% NHS staff discount.

Offshore Engineering

Join our accredited online MSc and gain the skills you need to work in a wide variety of roles in the offshore engineering sector, including marine renewables.

Oil and Gas Engineering

Join an accredited online Masters degree delivered from the Energy Capital of Europe. Master the skills and technologies you need to pursue a career in the upstream and downstream oil and gas industry.

Oil and Gas Law

Our LLM in Oil and Gas Law has been producing outstanding energy lawyers for over a decade. Join the flexible, online version of this LLM and earn your Masters part-time, without taking a career break.

Petroleum Data Management

Join a Masters designed in partnership with industry to meet the growing demand for petroleum data managers. Study online and acquire the expertise to maximise economic recovery.

Petroleum Engineering

Become a world-class petroleum engineer, ready to take up roles in the upstream oil and gas industry. Join our accredited online MSc in Petroleum Engineering, designed in partnership with industry.

Process Safety

Become a qualified process safety engineer, ready to work in any chemical processing sector. Join an IChemE-accredited online degree you can fit around full-time work.

Project Management

Learn to lead projects to success in any industry. Gain a fully APM-accredited qualification in project management, studying part-time online.

Psychology in the Workplace

Explore occupational psychology online with UK university psychologists. Choose from a range of online workplace psychology courses and build a graduate qualification tailored to you. 10% discount for NHS staff.

Research Methods for Health

Learn to design and carry out healthcare research projects. Study part-time with active health researchers at an award-winning health sciences university. 10% NHS staff discount.

Safety and Reliability Engineering

Become a world-class safety engineer, anywhere, with our accredited online MSc. Train online with internationally experienced safety engineers and learn direct from industry.

Subsea Engineering

Become a subsea engineer with our accredited online MSc. Train in the fundamental skills and technical knowledge demanded by the subsea sector today.

Join our uniquely flexible, 100% online Theology degree. Study part-time or full-time with a UK university where Theology has been taught since 1495.

Theology and Disability

Study religion and disability online with experts in Disability Theology. Join our renowned department of Divinity and Religious Studies for a flexible Masters programme that’s ideal CPD for faith leaders.

Showing 12 of 36 results

Category Expand

Business and management ( 6 )

Digital and data skills ( 4 )

Energy ( 12 )

Engineering and technology ( 10 )

Healthcare and medicine ( 8 )

History and society ( 5 )

Nutrition ( 1 )

Psychology and mental health ( 1 )

Learning mode Expand

Online ( 34 )

Blended ( 4 )

Study level Expand

Postgraduate ( 35 )

Undergraduate ( 1 )

Start date Expand

January ( 29 )

September ( 36 )

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• CORRESPONDENCE
• 02 April 2024

How can we make PhD training fit for the modern world? Broaden its philosophical foundations

• Ganesh Alagarasan 0

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

You have highlighted how PhD training assessment has stagnated, despite evolving educational methodologies (see Nature 613 , 414 (2023) and Nature 627 , 244; 2024 ). In particular, you note the mismatch between the current PhD journey and the multifaceted demands of modern research and societal challenges.

Access options

Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals

Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription

24,99 € / 30 days

cancel any time

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

185,98 € per year

only 3,65 € per issue

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Nature 628 , 36 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00969-x

Competing Interests

The author declares no competing interests.

Related Articles

See more letters to the editor

• Research management
• Scientific community

After the genocide: what scientists are learning from Rwanda

News Feature 05 APR 24

The neuroscientist formerly known as Prince’s audio engineer

Career Feature 14 MAR 24

This geologist communicates science from the ski slopes

Career Q&A 11 MAR 24

Allow researchers with caring responsibilities ‘promotion pauses’ to make research more equitable

Correspondence 02 APR 24

Impact factors are outdated, but new research assessments still fail scientists

World View 02 APR 24

How scientists are making the most of Reddit

Career Feature 01 APR 24

Adopt universal standards for study adaptation to boost health, education and social-science research

Africa’s postdoc workforce is on the rise — but at what cost?

Career Feature 02 APR 24

High-Level Talents at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University

For clinical medicine and basic medicine; basic research of emerging inter-disciplines and medical big data.

Nanchang, Jiangxi, China

The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University

POSTDOCTORAL Fellow -- DEPARTMENT OF Surgery – BIDMC, Harvard Medical School

The Division of Urologic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School invites applicatio...

Boston, Massachusetts (US)

Director of Research

Applications are invited for the post of Director of Research at Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, India.

Chennai, Tamil Nadu (IN)

Cancer Institute (W.I.A)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Human Immunology (wet lab)

Join Atomic Lab in Boston as a postdoc in human immunology for universal flu vaccine project. Expertise in cytometry, cell sorting, scRNAseq.

Boston University Atomic Lab

Research Associate - Neuroscience and Respiratory Physiology

Houston, Texas (US)

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM)

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

Iranian refugee couple graduate with DCU masters’ degrees on the same day

‘education creates justice. if you just send rich people to university, and others have no access to education, it creates huge inequalities’.

Elham Mohammadi and Mehrdad Lashgari during the Spring graduation ceremony at DCU. Photograph: Kyran O’Brien/DCU

Five years ago, husband and wife Merhdad Lashgari and Elham Mohammadi were separated from one another when Lashgari fled his home in Iran and sought asylum in Ireland.

“That period of separation was so difficult,” recalls Mohammadi. “I was living with my family but being apart from my husband was tough. We didn’t know what would happen to us and it took two years to get back together. It was very stressful.”

The Iranian couple, who were reunited in 2021 when Mohammadi came to Ireland through family reunification, were speaking with The Irish Times on the day of their graduation as masters students from DCU.

Mohammadi, who came second in her class at DCU , was celebrating a first-class honours in her MSc in Bioprocess Engineering, while Lashgari graduated with a MSc in Climate Change: Policy, Media and Society.

Number of homeless asylum seekers in State rises to 1,620

Strategy to resolve divisive asylum seeker problem shy of joined-up Coalition thinking

Government has quietly shelved its plan to end direct provision

The opportunity to study at third level in Ireland, which was made possible through a Universities of Sanctuary scholarship scheme for refugees and asylum seekers, changed their lives, says the couple. Seven Irish universities are part of this initiative to increase engagement with people seeking international protection.

Both university graduates before coming to Ireland – Mohammadi in chemical engineering and Lashgari in art and design – they struggled to find work here and decided returning to full-time education would help them build a career in this country.

“The day I arrived here I started looking for opportunities to study,” says Lashgari. “The people in Ireland were very nice, the system was nice, but I also found out that if you’re a refugee with no background in this country, no education or job here, then you are nothing.”

“I’ve learned the word for this; people become marginalised. Education creates justice, it creates equal opportunities for everyone. If you just send rich people to university, and others have no access to education, it creates huge inequalities. And that’s dangerous.”

Attending university in Ireland also enabled the couple to speak freely and voice opinions without fear of repercussions. Lashgari, who was president of the students union at his university in Iran, recalls how students were treated as “terrorists” for criticising the status quo. “I know very well what it means to have freedom of speech. In Iran, if you’re in the student union, they follow you everywhere. In Ireland you can question everything and speak out in the classroom.”

Mohammadi, who has secured a job with a pharmaceutical company, says her studies in Ireland “opened doors”. “It’s very fulfilling after only two years here that I’m graduating. Women don’t have many rights in Iran but here I had the chance to study and now start my first job. My life has totally changed and that would have been impossible without the Universities of Sanctuary scheme.”

Lashgari also feels a huge sense of accomplishment at having completed a master’s degree through his fourth language – English. “We learn English in school in Iran but you never learn to a proper level. So my English wasn’t great when I arrived. But I’m bilingual in Farsi and Turkish and I studied German before so that helped a bit.” He often struggled with the terminology used in climate discussions at DCU, including the use of terms such as turf. “I knew the word bog but I’d never heard of turf,” he says with a chuckle. “That happened a lot.”

Lashgari, who wrote his thesis on attitudes to solar farms in rural Ireland, has been offered the opportunity to study for a PhD but wants to enter the job market “because it makes more sense financially”. He’s also part of a group that visits schools around the country speaking about global citizenship, human rights and climate issues.

“It’s been like a dream for me,” he says. “Many immigrants don’t get these opportunities and I hope speaking out will create motivation for others. Irish people are nice but no one will chase after you to help you. People have to want to improve their lives, and I want to help them do that.”

• Join us for The Irish Times Inside Politics podcast live in Belfast on April 10th
• Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
• Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak is an Irish Times reporter and cohost of the In the News podcast

IN THIS SECTION

‘my daughter in fifth year is very creative, but i worry if the arts is a good path to follow’, simon harris: how the tiktok taoiseach rose to power, ‘i thought we could have fun by turning one of the landmark images on its head, filling it with women’, higher options career talks: agriculture, stress a major issue for two thirds of early years educators, survey finds, kate o’connell: varadkar’s decision to stand down was ‘end of dark enough chapter in my life’, divorced man no longer has to pay €385 monthly maintenance to ex-wife, judge rules, howth residents raise concerns over conor mcgregor’s plans to develop boutique hotel, dublin’s victorian fruit and vegetable market finally to reopen, mark knopfler on the end of dire straits: ‘maybe i should have kept playing, let it get as big as brazil’, latest stories, mixed views among fine gael members over candidates for cabinet reshuffle, how mexico stymied america’s war on drugs, northampton v munster: live updates from champions cup last 16, gardaí dealing with serious road traffic crash in churchtown, south dublin, leona maguire to face world number one nelly korda in match play final.

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Information
• Cookie Settings
• Community Standards

WPI Launches First-in-the-Nation Financial Technology PhD; Only University in the U.S. to Offer All Degree Levels in FinTech

Colleen Wamback Director of Public Relations Marketing Communications +1 (508) 8316775 [email protected]

Building on its established master’s and bachelor’s degree programs and aiming to meet industry trends and demands, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has introduced the nation’s first PhD program in Financial Technology (FinTech). The new program underscores WPI’s dedication to advanced education and research in this rapidly expanding sector, making it the only university in the country to offer all degree levels in the field.

With the rise of functions such as online payments services, mobile banking, and cryptocurrencies, the landscape of financial services has seen exponential changes in the last decade. FinTech is one of the  fastest-growing industries in the global economy with industry forecasts predicting 1.5 million new roles and some of the highest salaries in the tech industry. FinTech has become an essential area of study, creating a need for PhD graduates with the skills to lead industry and teach in financial technology programs. There are also industry research opportunities, as firms in the financial industry seek to create innovative operations and products based on emerging financial technologies.

“Introducing a doctoral degree program in FinTech exemplifies how WPI is a global innovator at the intersection of business and technology,” said WPI President Grace Wang. “Graduates of this program will emerge as academic and industry leaders who will shape the future of financial technology education and the financial services sector.”

• WPI President Grace Wang

WPI’s FinTech PhD program is uniquely positioned to offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary education that bridges finance, mathematics, computer science, and ethics. Leveraging the expertise of WPI’s distinguished faculty, students will learn a complex blend of skills, ranging from finance and mathematics to  AI and blockchain, analytics, data science, applied statistics, and develop a keen understanding of regulatory and compliance landscapes. They will also engage in cutting-edge research and practical applications of their studies at WPI’s state-of-the-art FinTech Innovation Hub and through external partnerships.

"We are witnessing an unprecedented convergence of academic advancements and industry needs in the FinTech sector," said  Debora Jackson , Harry G. Stoddard Professor of Management and Dean of The Business School at WPI. "Our PhD program will provide students with the interdisciplinary skills and knowledge necessary to drive innovation and address the complex challenges facing the FinTech industry."

• Debora Jackson, Harry G. Stoddard Professor of Management and Dean of The Business School

WPI’s expansion of its FinTech educational offerings also aligns with the continued growth of the sector in the region.  Massachusetts has emerged as a key hub within this sector, boasting over 357 FinTech companies and 69 incubators/accelerators, making it the third-largest innovation center in the United States. This thriving ecosystem supports over 30,000 jobs within the state, with demand for skilled professionals continuing to rise.

"The PhD program in FinTech not only continues WPI's longstanding tradition of innovative, interdisciplinary education but also positions our Business School as a leader in the emerging field of interdisciplinary financial education and research,” said  Kwamie Dunbar, associate professor of finance.

For more information about WPI's PhD program in Financial Technology,  visit WPI’s website .

Related Stories

WPI Business School Rolls Out FinTech Degrees

WPI Receives Accreditation for First-in-the-Nation Robotics ...

Wpi to offer a phd in robotics engineering.

• Jessica Logan: a meta-scientist on a mission

Media Inquiries

• 615-322-6397 Email

Latest Stories

• Update your personal devices to the secure VUIT Wi-Fi network
• A winning model: Bogotá’s charter schools boost students’ academic and social-emotional skills

Apr 5, 2024, 2:56 PM

By Jenna Somers

Associate Professor of Special Education Jessica Logan has always been interested in child development, specifically the growth of academic skills in young children at risk for learning disabilities. She seeks to understand how children learn and the contexts in which they learn, exploring questions such as, “Why do some kids struggle with learning to read?”

But for Logan, it’s not enough to ask a research question and then develop a methodology. The methodology itself must be studied to understand whether it is best for answering the question. As new questions arise, new statistical methods may need to be designed and implemented. Likewise, new designs may generate new questions that otherwise could not be answered.

In graduate school, Logan’s passion for developmental science spurred her passion for quantitative methodology. Now she uses her skills not only to improve her own work but to study the statistical methodologies used in her field, and to support her colleagues in developing and refining their research designs. In short, Logan is a meta-scientist on a mission.

“Metascience is really at the heart of everything I do. I study what methods researchers are using to understand questions about child development and how we can innovate and improve methods to better align with those questions. If we want to ensure the best outcomes for children, we should study problems using the methods that best address each question,” Logan said.

To support her colleagues, Logan leads workshops on best practices for data management and data sharing , and how to implement novel statistical methods to rescue research projects marred by missing data .

In a recent project supported by a $837,860 grant from the National Institutes of Health, Logan and her colleague Sara Hart , professor of psychology at Florida State University, are developing intensive short courses in data management and data sharing for researchers in children’s learning and development. Data management concerns processes for collecting, organizing, validating, and securing data. Data sharing refers to the practice of sharing research data for use by other investigators.

Logan says that roughly 80 percent of researchers in the field of children’s learning and development do not share their data, but interest in developing best practices for data sharing is growing. As part of this grant, Logan will host 20 investigators in the field of developmental science for a five-day course in data management and data sharing at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development in August. Courses supported by this grant have the potential to improve data management and sharing practices in the field of children’s learning and development, which ultimately could improve the work of practitioners and outcomes for the children they serve.

Logan and Hart don’t just educate colleagues through workshops. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when physical isolation was hindering the professional growth of many early-career researchers, Logan and Hart began cohosting the podcast Within and Between . They wanted to reach a wide audience of young developmental scientists, many of whom peppered them with questions about the methods and metascience of developmental science and professional development concerns. As the tagline for the inaugural episode states, “When one person asks for advice, you give it to them. When five people ask you for advice, you start a podcast.” Through four seasons, Logan and Hart have offered advice on topics such as the open science practice of preregistering research plans publicly, developing research questions, deciding on which conferences to attend and why, preparing for annual faculty reviews, and of course, all things data management.

And when Logan, Hart, and several of their colleagues asked each other for advice on navigating systemic inequities in their field, they started POWER (Providing Opportunities for Women in Educational Research), a non-profit organization to connect, support, and advocate for researchers who identify as women or non-binary in the fields of education and child development.

“Women have held the majority of Ph.D.’s in education for a very long time—it’s a unique field in that way—but they hold fewer positions of power, so they are less likely to remain in the field. Early in their careers, researchers are postdocs and assistant professors, and female researchers who have children during this time are often held back. The tenure clock gets pushed back, but that pushes back raises and promotions, which affects their perception within their departments and their ability to contribute to science. They might get entry-level academic positions, but they occupy fewer leadership roles, are less likely to achieve tenure, and are less likely to receive federal funding than their male peers,” Logan said.

To help close the gap, POWER has a database to connect women and non-binary researchers in education and child development. The database can help users find potential research collaborators, mentors, colleagues who can write letters of support, and more.

Additionally, POWER provides a list of resources and hubs to connect researchers based on geographic locations and research specializations. The organization also hosts online and in-person networking events and has an active email listserv. Membership is free and open to any researcher in the field of education or child development.

As a researcher, podcaster, and leader of a non-profit, Logan wears many different hats, but no matter which one she wears at any given time, her mission is the same: to help improve the scholarship of education and developmental science researchers, so that their work can lead to better outcomes for children.

Keep Reading

Bold Strokes: An illustrated guide to pioneering figures in Vanderbilt history

Made for This Moment: 150 years after its founding, Vanderbilt is poised to take its place among the greatest universities of this century

‘U.S. News’ graduate school rankings: Here is how Vanderbilt graduate and professional programs placed

Explore story topics.

• Education and Psychology
• Department of Special Education
• Ideas In Action
• Ideas in Action Featured
• Jessica Logan
• Peabody College
• peabody-home

Skip to Content

Graduate Student Edition - March 15, 2024

Campus community.

Get paid: Research opportunities and on-campus jobs

Women’s Leadership Symposium promotes authentic leadership

4 things everyone should know about naloxone

Research updates.

Climate change matters to more and more people, could be a deciding factor in the election

The power and possibilities of intertwining healing justice and education

Buff Bulletin Board

Don't test your luck, get home safe with CU NightRide

Volunteer Resource Center is hiring student assistants

Would you be interested in an EMS program? Take this survey

Last chance: CU Involvement Awards now accepting nominations

More Bulletins

In Case You Missed It

Graduate student survey results now available

Tips for a safe St. Paddy’s Day weekend

Multi-factor authentication coming to campus VPN

CU Engineering celebrates Women’s History Month

Astronomer honored for heavenly solar eclipse photos

News Headlines

• Arts & Humanities
• Business & Entrepreneurship
• Climate & Environment
• Education & Outreach
• Health & Society
• Law & Politics
• Science & Technology
• Administration
• Announcements & Deadlines
• Career Development
• Getting Involved
• Mind & Body

Events & Exhibits

• Arts & Culture
• Conferences
• Lectures & Presentations
• Performances & Concerts
• Sports & Recreation
• Workshops & Seminars

Subscribe to CUBT

Sign up for Alerts

Administrative eMemos

Events Calendar