Examining the Academia-Industry Connections of Social Science PhDs

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  In Refereed Roundtable (60 min): Table 17: Advanced Degrees and Social Mobility

Abstract

Recent media reports acknowledge the increasing involvement of PhDs in employment sectors beyond academia. However, the strength of academia-industry connections may vary largely by field. The current paper draws on field theory to examine the strength of the connections forged between social science PhD programs and employment sectors beyond academia. To determine social science PhDs career preparedness, this research aims to determine: (1) Whether career opportunities presented and promoted to social science PhDs have evolved alongside market demand; and (2) Whether institutional initiatives have promoted stronger academia-industry connections. Drawing on 28 interviews with PhDs from 5 social science disciplines, the results suggest that academic career norms are perpetuated at the department level. Though institutions—more generally—have broadened the career preparation offered to PhDs, ties to industry remain weak. To forge new norms strengthening academia-industry links, some participants reflected on the benefit associated with an internship opportunity during the PhD program.

Author

• Brittany Etmanski, University of Waterloo