“Ireland’s National Framework for Doctoral Education was published in 2015. Developed collaboratively by the Higher Education Authority, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and the two higher education representative bodies (Irish Universities Association and Technological Higher Education Association), the Framework was designed to support the delivery of high-quality doctoral education in the Irish higher education system. In 2020, these partners identified that there was a need to understand better how the Framework was being implemented within that system. They decided to invite an expert team from EUA to undertake a systematic mapping exercise to build a picture of institutional implementation of the Framework across the higher education system. The outcomes of the exercise highlighted many positive aspects regarding doctoral education in Ireland, and also identified some room for improvement. This in turn has catalysed new projects involving the higher education institutions and Government agencies working together to address these areas.”

Irish Universities Association and Technological Higher Education Association