JOURNAL: Reasons for doing a PhD (1.3)

The FutureLearn course suggests a number of reasons or motiviations people might have, for starting (and hopefully finishing) a PhD, including: 



  • to contribute to academic and social scientific discovery and knowledge;
  • as a first major step towards a career as an academic or a researcher;
  • to build substantially on knowledge already gained from previous study and experience
  • to develop and enhance your independent (and sometimes team-based) research skills;
  • to make an impact upon social or economic policy and practice;
  • to provide a launchpad for entering a related profession;
  • to lead innovation in a particular sector of industry; 
  • to continue studying in the UK or in the UK system at a higher academic level;
  • to enable a career in a university after gaining a PhD;
  • to advance a career outside of academic life;
  • to be able to use the title of ‘Doctor’.
But these aims may prove to be blinkered, even impossible to achieve in practice, because:
  • making an impact may well require significant additional activities on top of writing a thesis, and
  • PhD theses are rarely specific enough to be applicable in the real world because they have to meet academic rather than practical requirements. 

So what are MY reasons? 


I think basically the first four on the list above - to gain formal recognition as a 'thought leader' in that niche where Scottish history, dress history, material culture, the trades as well as economic trade/trading, and gender studies (i.e. women as economic players) intersect. The big black hole I've identified is - mantua makers (as a trade/practice) in areas beyond Edinburgh (Elizabeth Sanderson), Aberdeen (Deborah Simonton) and Perth (several). Specifically, I think Inverness is the next big exposed target, especially in its position as capitol of and gateway to the Highland (region). 





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