Postgraduates: How can national policy centralise this forgotten tribe and celebrate their skills in tackling the challenges of higher education.

Authors

  • Barry Ryan Dublin Institute of Technology

Keywords:

PhD training, fourth level learning, structured PhD model

Abstract

The role of the postgraduate research student is one that is not often highlighted as important; however, these transient researchers hold two key positions in most Higher Education Institutes (HEIs); full-time researchers and novice educators. Centralising and celebrating the skills set of this ‘forgotten tribe’ could address some of the problems currently faced by the higher education system. These problems include financial constraints imposed by the economic downturn, the requirement to ‘do more with less’, and the use of the knowledge based economy to drive economic stabilisation and recovery. Postgraduate researchers are not the panacea for all higher education ills; these researchers are primarily interested in research and additional duties may distract from this core value. Inclusion of pedagogic training as part of a structured PhD may allow for specific training to be delivered that would benefit many of the stakeholders; the undergraduate, the postgraduate and the HEI at large.

Author Biography

Barry Ryan, Dublin Institute of Technology

Barry carried out his PhD research in DCU; under the supervision of Dr. Ciarán Ó'Fágáin, in the area of applied enzymology. He commenced teaching in DIT in 2009 and lectures on biotechnological, biochemical, chemical, quality and other ancillary aspects of Environmental Health, Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He has completed his PG Diploma in Third Level Teaching and Learning and his MSc in Applied eLearning and is currently pursuing his MA in Higher Education. His primary pedagogic research focuses on the effect of assessment, feedback and blended learning on undergraduate learning with particular emphasis on first year chemistry students. Further areas of pedagogic research include pre-laboratory preparation, engaging large classes and the integration of novel technology into the teaching and learning environment. Barry has experience of research and development in academia and in the (bio)pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology industries.  Currently his scientific research focus on rational and directed evolution of recombinant proteins; including protein molecular modelling and stability analysis, to leverage the diagnostic applications of recombinant proteins. Additional research areas include Real Time PCR, with particular emphasis on veterinary and food diagnostics.

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Published

2015-06-26

Issue

Section

Reflections, Journeys and Case Studies