PhD students are invited to rate the quality of PhD programmes at AU
On 8 September, all PhD students at AU received a a survey about the quality of their PhD programme in e-Boks. This is the first such survey since 2021.
Do you feel a sense of belonging in your research group? Are you getting enough guidance from your supervisor? And how is your general well-being?
These are some of the questions in AU’s university-wide survey of how PhD students rate their PhD programmes.
On 8 September, the survey was sent (in e-Boks) to all currently enrolled PhD students as well as recent graduates of PhD programmes.
Dr Helene Nørrelund is chair of the graduate school leadership group, which is behind the survey. She encourages all PhD students to participate:
“I urge everyone to take the survey, which takes fifteen minutes. This is an opportunity for us to get insight into what it’s like to be a PhD student here.”
“In the survey, we ask about whether you feel a sense of belonging in your research group, whether you’re thriving, and whether we’re giving you enough enough guidance to help you get off to a good start, as well as enough freedom to develop academic independence towards the end of the programme.”
Dr Nørrelund hopes that the response rate for this year’s survey will reach the same level as in 2021, when 75 per cent of invited participants took the survey:
“After all, it’s the response rate that determines the value of the results of the survey,” she said.
The responses to the 2021 survey led to new courses in project management, among other initiatives. The results will also be used in connection with courses aimed at helping supervisors improve the guidance they provide.
Support from the PhD Association
Aarhus University PhD Association (AUPA) is enthusiastic about the study, chair Shubhangi Das Barman says:
”AUPA is happy that the survey is going out. It is one of the ways we can have a say in what is going on around the campus.
The survey is very important because it is a way for PhD students to give feedback to the management. To know how we are doing and what our opinions are is very important. It gives a voice to PhD students from every department.”
Increased focus on remote work and mobility
The questions in this year’s survey are virtually identical to the questions in previous surveys. This is to ensure results can be compared across surveys.
As in previous years, the survey contains questions about the quality of PhD supervision, research group culture, workload and career prospects, in addition to motivation and well-being.
The survey also includes new questions about remote work, the post-Covid experience and mobility, for example research abroad.
The survey is being conducted by the consultancy Rambøll on behalf of the university, and the final results are expected to be available in November.
Facts about the study
- All enrolled PhD students at AU received a personal link to the survey in their e-Boks on 8 September.
- Graduates who earned their PhD degree within the last six months also received the invitation to take the survey.
- The survey takes approx. 15 minutes to complete. The deadline is 6 October.
- The results of the survey will be used internally at AU to develop and improve the PhD degree programmes. The results will also be used in a number of international evaluations of AU’s PhD degree programmes, which will take place later this year.
Learn more about the survey:
- Link to website with info about the survey
- PhD student with questions about the survey? Read the FAQ
- If you can’t find the answer to your question in the FAQ, you’re welcome to write to Kristian Langhoff Sørensen at kls@au.dk