Doctoral Education in the Global South: A Critical Analysis From Chile and South Africa

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

In this symposium, we analyse the effects of national doctoral policies implemented in Chile and South Africa. By mid-2000, both nations launched ambitious reforms to increase the number of doctoral holders in a short period of time with the ultimate goal of participating in the so-called knowledge economy. Both countries have a semi-periphery position in the global economy and had to re-organize their higher education systems after having experienced traumatic social divisions (Chilean dictatorship 1973-1989; South Africa racial apartheid 1948-1992). Drawing from a critical realist framework, our papers show that the emphasis on “producing” doctoral holders has overlooked the pedagogies needed to educate the next generation of researchers in two countries with high levels of inequalities.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Graduate and Postdoctoral Education across the Disciplines

Chair

• Roxana Chiappa, Universidad de Tarapaca

Papers

• Unpacking the Process of Socialization of Doctorate Holders in Social Science: A Critical Analysis of the Case of Chile - Roxana Chiappa, Universidad de Tarapaca; Julio Labraña

• Setting Standards and Measuring the Unmeasurable: The Doctorate in South Africa - Sioux McKenna, Rhodes University

• The Credibility of Graduate Advising Development in South Africa - Puleng Lorraine Motshoane, University of Johannesburg

• Mentoring Doctoral Candidates Into Academic Careers in South Africa - Amanda Hlengwa, Rhodes University

Discussant

• Sergio Celis, Universidad de Chile