BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH – THE INDUSTRIAL PhD

DS 83: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education (E&PDE16), Design Education: Collaboration and Cross-Disciplinarity, Aalborg, Denmark, 8th-9th September 2016

Year: 2016
Editor: Erik Bohemia, Ahmed Kovacevic, Lyndon Buck, Christian Tollestrup, Kaare Eriksen, Nis Ovesen
Author: Schlegel, Julia; Keitsch, Martina
Series: E&PDE
Institution: 1Snřhetta Oslo AS, 2Department of Product Design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Section: Research in Design Education
Page(s): 198-203
ISBN: 978-1-904670-62-9

Abstract

Design and architecture require a good deal of practice based learning and performing. By the same
time theoretical knowledge and research training in these fields become increasingly important,
especially on an advanced level. In academia, PhD candidates often grapple with this double
challenge, not just during their studies but also applying results in the daily professional practice. In
order to facilitate cross-pollination of theory and practice, the Industrial PhD. scheme has been
introduced in Norway in 2008. Within this scheme companies can apply for support for a three-year
period for an employee seeking to pursue an ordinary doctoral degree. This paper discusses the
Industrial PhD approach in Norway based on documentations of last years’ results and an in-depth
case study from an Industrial PhD in a leading Norwegian Architecture Bureau. The paper is meant as
input to the ongoing dispute on the relation between design research and practice in different European
design and architecture schools and as contribution to appraise and develop doctoral schemes in
design and architecture.

Keywords: Industrial PhD, theory practice gap, educating professionals.

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