PhD education is undergoing a significant transformation to meet the needs of society, particularly in industry. There is a growing demand for researchers who can apply their expertise within and beyond academia. Industrial PhD education is emerging as a key solution to this demand with PhD students employed by a company while completing their PhD studies. Industrial PhD education is based on work-integrated learning i.e., the relationship between working life and learning. The industrial PhD student, with one foot in work-life and one in academia, is in a unique position to contribute to both academic research and industry needs. Identified benefits for industrial PhD students’ learning include proximity and access to data, projects and networks, contextual understanding, and tacit knowledge. This not only enhances PhD students’ learning but also provides insights that benefit both academia and industry.

However, there are also challenges associated with industrial PhD education such as balancing the dual roles of being a PhD student and an employee. Industrial PhD students often face conflicting demands from their academic supervisors and their employers, which can lead to a sense of divided identity and a lack of belonging in both contexts. Thus, the success of industrial PhD education hinges on addressing the following critical issues:

Understanding and Expectations
It is crucial to improve the understanding and expectations between academia and industry. Both sides must engage in continuous dialogue and close interaction to build long-term relationships based on trust and mutual knowledge creation. This involves structuring the collaboration through clear actions, practices, and routines that consider the dual expectations placed on industrial PhD students.

Formal Agreements
Detailed formal agreements are necessary to ensure that all partners avoid conflicts of interest and protect the industrial PhD students’ work conditions. Financial agreements involving multiple partners can complicate collaboration.

Inclusion and Access
Ethical dilemmas regarding inclusion and access for industrial PhD students need careful consideration. Industrial PhD students often navigate different organizational cultures, face issues of belonging and visibility, and manage dual responsibilities while dealing with confidential data. Guidance and support from both academic and industry mentors are required to balance these challenges.

Integration of Research and Practice
For industrial PhD education to be effective, the research must be well-integrated with industry practice. The scope of the PhD thesis should be firmly anchored in both industry and academia. Furthermore, industry partners need to consider the long-term career prospects of the industrial PhD students, while academia can benefit from a continuing engagement in education and research after PhD graduation.

To conclude, industrial PhD education based on work-integrated learning, academic rigor and industry experience, offers a model for the future, promoting a new generation of researchers ready to tackle contemporary societal challenges. When these critical issues are addressed, this is the ultimate way to build knowledge!

Iréne Bernhard
Assistant Professor in Informatics, University West, Sweden

Anna Karin Olsson
Associate Professor in Business Administration, University West, Sweden

Bernhard, I., & Olsson, A. K. (2023). One foot in academia and one in work-life–the case of Swedish industrial PhD students. Journal of Workplace Learning, 35(6), 506-523. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-11-2022-0157
Awarded paper Emerald Awards Literati 2024

Olsson, A. K., & Bernhard, I. (2023). Transforming doctoral education: Exploring industrial PhD collaboration in Sweden. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 24(4), 523-536.