DATA AGAINST MYTHS: EVIDENCE FROM THE SURVEY OF PHD STUDENTS IN LEADING RUSSIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

The article presents the results ofsociological survey of PhD students and expert interviews with the heads ofPhD programs at the Universities, which participate in the Russian Academic Excellence Program. The authors compare ideas of administrators and students about PhD education in modern Russia. Five "myths" which are commonly represented by the heads ofPhD programs are distinguished: (1) PhD students do not consider their PhD programs as educational; (2) significant number of PhD students enter University in order to get a draft determent or place in student dormitory; (3) PhD education is for those who want to be scholars; (4) the employment in his/her university is good for both: PhD student and university; (5) the employment hinders PhD education. The authors show that there are significant mismatches between the ideas of administrators and PhD students. The most serious mismatches are observed for such aspects as: obstacles for PhD education, planned carrier trajectories and interrelation between work and education.

Keywords

• phd education
• professional trajectories of phd students
• motives for admission to phd programs
• obstacles for phd education