Page 33 - Innovative Professional Development Methods and Strategies for STEM Education

The Role of the Professional Doctorate in Developing Professional Practice in STEM Subjects

yet exist; or rather, data to allow the assemblage of such evidence have not yet been collected. This is to
be expected, as professional doctorate programmes are a relatively new development. It is important that
such evidence, and case studies of impact, are collected, particularly as governments across the world
are now looking to fund research which provides real impact. Future research studies should focus on
this aspect of the professional doctorate.

CONCLUSION

This chapter has presented the results of a mixed methods case study of a professional doctorate pro-
gramme. Professional doctorate programmes are especially relevant to today’s STEM practitioners, in
that they equip graduates with methodological skills to use action research approaches to drive change
within their own organisation and their wider community of practice. Our study has identified a number
of themes which resonate with other similar studies (Costley & Stephenson, 2005; Lester, 2004), and
hold lessons for the further development of professional doctorate programmes. These themes are: cohort
experience, structure and academic support, personal transformation, employer perceptions, reflective
practice, personal and professional values, professional identity, authenticity and personal voice, and
transprofessional working.

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