THE ROAD FROM SALZBURG Translating European principles of Doctoral Education to local contexts

Abstract

The aim of this study has been to investigate in what ways directors of doctoral education navigate and translate doctoral education norms from the European level to local contexts. In focus are the two norms of original research and wider labour market needs, enshrined in the Salzburg principles, adopted by the European University Association. These norms are argued to underpin a central notion of the European knowledge economy. The CUDOS mores (Merton) as well as post-academic science (Ziman) and the mode 1/mode 2 production of knowledge (Gibbons et al.) constitute a conceptual framework as a backdrop to the two overarching norms and their relevance today. The theory of translation assists in understanding the ways in which the directors reflect on and navigate among these norms. Interviews have been done with directors for five social sciences subjects. The two norms are found not necessarily in dichotomy or contradiction with each other when operating doctoral education, but are rather seen as contrapuntal. From the overall observation that fewer paradoxes and conflicts than anticipated were found between different goals and norms in the local contexts, follows that strategies for handling such tensions were less articulated than expected. A final main finding was that the Salzburg principles were not at all recognised locally, which calls for more active engagement from European stakeholders if they wish to create a stronger link between the European and the local level in the making of knowledge policy in Europe.