Read on Twitter
tl;dr
- More PhD grads; stagnant academic hiring.
- Low R&D spending among Canadian firms + indifference to PhDs -> relatively weak non-ac receptor capacity
- lower unemployment, higher wages for PhDs in aggregate; varies by discipline
- Ross Finnie does good stuff with data https://twitter.com/cca_reports/status/1354029762692444160
- More PhD grads; stagnant academic hiring.
- Low R&D spending among Canadian firms + indifference to PhDs -> relatively weak non-ac receptor capacity
- lower unemployment, higher wages for PhDs in aggregate; varies by discipline
- Ross Finnie does good stuff with data https://twitter.com/cca_reports/status/1354029762692444160
There’s something in here to evidence everyone’s narratives.
This conclusion of the CCA’s PhD panel will interest those in the brain gain/drain debate.
“PhD graduates in Canada demonstrate similar international mobility as those in peer nations” (126). https://www.cca-reports.ca/reports/the-labour-market-transition-of-phd-graduates/
“PhD graduates in Canada demonstrate similar international mobility as those in peer nations” (126). https://www.cca-reports.ca/reports/the-labour-market-transition-of-phd-graduates/
One part I found disappointing was the analysis of the non-academic receptor capacity for PhDs.
This is an area in need of deeper analysis. It’s the demand side of a supply-demand question. The panel missed an opportunity to add something important to the conversation.
This is an area in need of deeper analysis. It’s the demand side of a supply-demand question. The panel missed an opportunity to add something important to the conversation.
As it is, it roughly shakes out as:
- non-ac orgs do little R&D relative to global peers (so limited need)
- non-ac employers indifferent to, or have negative perceptions of, PhDs (so limited interest)
Reasonable hypotheses. More evidence needed. Other hypotheses to consider.
- non-ac orgs do little R&D relative to global peers (so limited need)
- non-ac employers indifferent to, or have negative perceptions of, PhDs (so limited interest)
Reasonable hypotheses. More evidence needed. Other hypotheses to consider.
A couple of charts really struck me. Like this one which suggests that almost all recent growth in PhDs granted in Canada is PhDs granted to international students. https://www.cca-reports.ca/reports/the-labour-market-transition-of-phd-graduates/
And this one, which shows a wage premium (on average) for PhDs, but that the premium is shrinking for men and increasing for women with PhDs. https://www.cca-reports.ca/reports/the-labour-market-transition-of-phd-graduates/
(Note: Chapter 5 - on labour market outcomes - should be required reading). https://www.cca-reports.ca/reports/the-labour-market-transition-of-phd-graduates/
This one might upset a few narratives. Earnings by field of study shows lowest earnings for humanities (no surprise), but just about equally low for sciences (will surprise some). https://www.cca-reports.ca/reports/the-labour-market-transition-of-phd-graduates/
If I can draw your attention to the chart on the bottom left.
https://www.cca-reports.ca/reports/the-labour-market-transition-of-phd-graduates/
https://www.cca-reports.ca/reports/the-labour-market-transition-of-phd-graduates/
Good summary of recommendations.
Note that 3/4 are supply focused; only 1 demand focused - which is ~ consistent with the balance of attention in the report overall.
I'm not convinced tweaking production methods will do much for demand. https://twitter.com/McMahon_Meg/status/1354153118032867330?s=20
Note that 3/4 are supply focused; only 1 demand focused - which is ~ consistent with the balance of attention in the report overall.
I'm not convinced tweaking production methods will do much for demand. https://twitter.com/McMahon_Meg/status/1354153118032867330?s=20
Sorry, that should say "promising practices", not "recommendations." The CCA, by mandate, doesn't issue recommendations, if I recall.
I know it's crass, gross, whatever, but if you think there's a PhD-to-industry problem, think about solutions through a marketing lens.
1. What do customers need/want?
2. Can we tweak product for market?
3. Can we generate new customer preferences?
4. What's market size?
1. What do customers need/want?
2. Can we tweak product for market?
3. Can we generate new customer preferences?
4. What's market size?
5. What barriers do customers face to buying?
6. Is it possible that the market is saturated and we should produce something else?
Smartphone makers showed us that you can create new preferences no one knew they had. PhD producers need to ask if that's possible with employers.
6. Is it possible that the market is saturated and we should produce something else?
Smartphone makers showed us that you can create new preferences no one knew they had. PhD producers need to ask if that's possible with employers.
Most of the people who think that PhDs are good/necessary are people with PhDs. And my Mom.
Additional thoughts. (Keeping this all together for future reference). https://twitter.com/dk_munro/status/1354766689385263114?s=20
