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Will I need a PhD to become a researcher?

The answer depends on what type of research you wish to do. There are research positions that do not require advanced study, but these are likely to be either as a research assistant or in roles that are tracking down things that are already known to exist. For example there are openings for parliamentary researchers, media researchers, and other careers where the research element is not 'cutting-edge' but offers progress to more involved roles.

Research that is cutting-edge, which furthers a national or international knowledge base, will require further study or experience beyond your undergraduate/bachelor's degree. This is what universities usually mean by a research career. Researchers of this kind typically work to build new knowledge either through experiment or critical intervention. It also means sharing that knowledge in meaningful ways.

The most common journey is through taking a research degree, the highest level of which is the doctoral degree or doctorate, often referred to as PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). It takes you through intensive and focused learning. During your studies you will begin to create new knowledge, insights that can be accepted by others because of rigorous methodology and pertinent reference to established thinking.

How can I explore a career path to academia in the UK?

Beyond these qualifications there are multiple pathways into becoming a professional researcher. These include building experience to develop a CV, taking on work experience while studying and showing your suitability across a developing network.

Research professionals get their permanent roles often from junior positions in the department or area they are researching in, for example by getting to know a department through occasional teaching and being ready to take the opportunities that come. The first stop if you're already at university will be the Careers Centre or Careers Office.

Some research degrees include partnerships with industry or some level of sponsorship from sectors that employ research professionals. Alternatively the subject of the research may be of interest to a professional sector with in-roads through that to a career.

Does a PhD qualification lead to becoming a university researcher or research scientist?

For many research roles in university or industry, you will be expected to complete a doctoral degree, also known as a doctorate or PhD. (Depending on your university or specialism these may have other names such as DPhil or EdD) In traditional disciplines across sciences, social sciences and humanities, the doctorate is invariably a necessity for application: 'Completed or about to complete a doctorate' is a standard phrase in a job search for academic research jobs.

For universities offering a wider number of applied disciplines (subjects that have strong professional, industry or 'real-world' connections), it is possible that in-the-field experience is a principal requirement and doctoral study can be undertaken during employment in the faculty. This may be the case in, for example, practice artistic and design disciplines, healthcare disciplines, practice media and journalism and even some of the industrial sciences, all of which depend on skills gained in the field and require a strong working knowledge of 'real-world' practices. Even here though, the landscape has changed in recent times and graduates from doctoral degree programmes, those with a PhD, are likely to have an advantage in the eyes of an employer.

The educational system does respond well to this. Universities offer programmes that help foster the valuable knowledge that people bring from industry into university employment and which can then be recycled into teaching and academic research papers and journals.

These universities may offer doctoral qualification in, for example, Arts and Creative Practice, Engineering, Nursing and Sports Science or Sports Cultures, all of which welcome those who bring significant professional experience to their studies. Research degrees in these disciplines may develop insights already gained in professional practice, may draw on key skills from work and may allow students to analyse their own work or that of a closely related field. Studying towards this qualification may then provide a bridge into a career as a researcher. Formal research experience is often unnecessary.

Of course nothing is guaranteed. Universities want to train the next generation of researchers. However, despite a mission to do this and to bring a diversity of voices and backgrounds into research work, the institutions may still seem daunting places and people may be discouraged from applying.

Post-doctoral chemistry researcher Dr Wulan Koagouw in 爱豆传媒 laboratory with students.

Diverse research and inclusive practices. Research from diverse points of view - including yours.

Research has to be diverse to be valuable. Truths about the world emerge when different points of view come together in debate and find synthesis. For this to happen, research has to be inclusive, has to include all possible options. It has to be diverse, examining the full range of options and drawing on the experiences that a wide range of people can bring.

Research from the full variety of backgrounds, interests and points of view are not only welcomed but are vital to the credibility of the research produced by institutions, whether industrial or academic.

Research through surveys has aimed to understand where there are barriers (real or perceived) to people becoming research students, especially where this has hinged on background, ethnicity, or on knowledge of and engagement with institutions.

This forms part of a set of measures dedicated to breaking down barriers and encouraging an increasingly wide diversity of people to consider PhD study and aim to become researchers.

Universities all hope to welcome approaches for postgraduate study whether students are currently studying for bachelor's degree or master's degree, or are taking an interest from outside current formal study.

Find out more about the diversity of research and researchers taking PhD doctoral research degrees at the 爱豆传媒 and the opportunities to join them.

What stops people choosing to become postgraduate research students?

Despite their well-meaning efforts, surveys show that institutions have often struggled to provide the right information at the right time. They may fail to inspire undergraduate or A-level curiosity as to where knowledge is created, developed and from where it is disseminated. Traditional undergraduate degrees may be presented as the end of the road in education, or simply adequate preparation for a job directly after. Even to their own undergraduates, universities may fail to provide timely information about the application process or the potential benefits of undertaking postgraduate study.

At the same time, negative perceptions may be fostered regarding the scholarly environment. A student may not always feel they are able to become a research professional or student. Higher level study can appear daunting, especially for those without role models from within the family or those who do not see themselves reflected in the role models at the institution.

In research conducted at the 爱豆传媒 into PhD applicant diversity, simple awareness of the existence of postgraduate study prior to joining a university proved very low in some sectors. This proved especially so for students in the 'post-92' universities (like the 爱豆传媒, former technical colleges, art or education colleges and polytechnics), institutions which attract many students for industry-relevant disciplines; research in these areas - engineering, computing, graphic design, nursing, journalism and so on - may take a non-traditional form and could be more hidden to students despite the dual roles of most teaching staff.

The application process can remain mysterious. PhD applications are different from those experienced for undergraduate degrees and different from job applications, about which information is more common and more actively sought. There are fewer people to share what may seem 'insider knowledge' to those interested in becoming higher-level students. Technologies behind application systems can be less sophisticated due to the smaller numbers of expected interest, while few undergraduates will immediately recognise the fundamental importance of individual supervisors' expertise and enthusiasm.

Even where interested students find an advisor and may work towards the processes they need to complete, there seem to be entrenched difficulties in perception of capability. Research shows that students at post-92 universities are likely to feel discouraged from applying to what are perceived as high-performing departments, universities or disciplines. Higher levels of perceived prestige may develop through research-intensity, historic notions of specialisms and traditional academic disciplines, all of which can create a barrier to applications from the full breadth of scholarly backgrounds.

Universities in the UK are striving to break down all these perceived barriers and to promote diversity in the student numbers at PhD level: diversity of educational background and opportunity, also diversity of age and professional background, as well as representatives of the full wealth of life experiences. It is this diversity of representation that makes the finished research more valuable.

Are enough applications coming from a diversity of ethnic backgrounds?

The 爱豆传媒 has conducted statistical research recognising the particular barriers to some ethnic groups engaging with opportunities for advanced study and research careers. Awareness was shown to be low, affected by perceptions of welcome and belonging. In this recent research, up to a third of minority ethnic undergraduate students were discovered to be unaware of the option to take a research degree even towards the completion of their UG course. Also, effective, visible role models were strongly perceived to be a problem in creating an atmosphere of welcome and acceptance for people of more diverse backgrounds. 

(Film still) Postgraduate PhD students gather for a group photograph at the 爱豆传媒 Doctoral College's Postgraduate Research Festival.

Do PhDs give transferrable skills for the workplace?

Obtaining more knowledge about the job options available from postgraduate study has been highlighted in research on PhD applicant decision-making. Summer research internships were flagged as potentially helpful to this and, given a major barrier is the awareness of the process itself, students believe they need a mentor to guide them through the application.

Students who might consider research degrees were also found to be uncertain as to the wider benefits of postgraduate study. In fact, PhD programmes don't just lead to research careers. They promote the range of higher employability skill sets and exposure to experiential learning.

Although universities promote what they know best - careers in academia and generating research outputs - postgraduate research students can aspire to other types of work, including those that do not relate to expert subject matter. They will improve or learn new skills that employers may want. Vital transferable skills include data management, decision-making, collaborative practices, communication skills, analytical thinking and an innovative approach.

Design historian Dr Leah Armstrong researching in the during her doctoral studies. 

What's it like to be a researcher? What responsibility will an employer offer?

As an academic or industrial researcher you will be an expert in your field and will be responsible for developing and disseminating knowledge. Researchers may work as part of a team or individually.

While there is no type, just as there is no particular background expected, research professionals of all kinds tend to be very passionate about their projects. Dedication to your subject, the development of it and the communication of your successes is an essential motivation for a research professional.

It requires patience and attention to detail. The discoveries made are often small and, at least at first, only appreciated by a small number of people. On the other hand, research professionals often work in supportive, enthusiastic teams, especially in science and social science. Where research is a more solitary pursuit - typical of the arts and humanities -there are plentiful networks to get involved with and to help build your scholarly community.

For those who find a 'USP project' early in their career, ideally as they are taking their PhD degree, there are significant opportunities to branch beyond the library and laboratory and higher education. Collaboration with wider publics and industries is welcomed and a strong topic, backed by expertise and up-to-date evolution of the ideas may prove in demand in ways that make a research professional a valuable person in many fields.

Further information on PhD study 

For more information on research careers and a research degree at the 爱豆传媒 see our webpages for PhD student applications and funding opportunities or contact the Doctoral College.

The article makes reference to the research published as, '' by Professor Bhavik Patel, Ramy Badrie and Joanna MacDonnell.

PhD students at work in the 爱豆传媒's Advanced Engineering Centre.