PhD in Economics: Why, Costs, and Time Commitment
Journey of pursuing a PhD in Economics, this resource covers the reasons behind pursuing this advanced degree, the associated costs, and the time involved. Insights from Gianni De Fraja shed light on the value of a PhD, the thesis writing process, and potential career paths. The discussion delves into the usefulness of a PhD in Economics, highlighting key considerations and providing guidance on the degrees of MPhil and PhD. A detailed timeline outlines the academic roadmap from coursework to research, viva, and the job market. Discover the ideal timescale and milestones in the pursuit of a PhD in Economics.
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Presentation Transcript
PhD in Economics. Why? How? How Much does it cost? Money Time
Why me? Gianni De Fraja University of Nottingham, Universit di Roma Tor Vergata and CEPR December 2015 Why me? webpage: https://sites.google.com/site/giannidefraja/ @giannidefraja Director of Research Students in York Director of Graduate Research in Leicester Director of Graduate Research in Nottingham 29 PhD students 12 PhD Examinations
Thesis writing MPhil/PhD What is a PhD? a bound volume which according to university regulations must contain an original contribution to knowledge or understanding Il titolo di Dottore di Ricerca conferito a chi, a conclusione del corso, ha conseguito risultati di rilevante valore scientifico, documentati da una dissertazione finale scritta and according to D.P.R. 11 luglio 1980 n. 382 (artt. 68 e ss.)
Is a PhD any use? http://www.economist.com/node/17723223 on the other hand: If you must get a PhD get it in economics The odd one out. What does PhD stand for? A. PhD in Economics B. PhD in Film Studies C. PhD in Computer Science D. A large pepperoni pizza parents have doubts professorship? ha dream on! please hire: desperate potential heavy drinking
THE DEGREES OF MPHIL AND PHD: NOTES OF GUIDANCE your.university.website http://thephdlounge.com/ Also http://www.businessinsider.com/the-illustrated-guide-to-a-phd-2012-3
Time table US Two years of intensive courses. followed by three years of writing. single source of funding UK (old style) One Year MSc three years of research one year of writing-up three separate sources of funding
An ideal timescale Academic today 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 1st Year Laurea Magistr ale 2nd Year Laurea Magistr ale 1st Year PhD/MS c/MRes 2nd Year PhD 3rd Year PhD Write up Year PhD Write up Year PhD Course- work & research research research viva Course- work Apply for PhD Teaching/scholarship $13- 25 gradu ate exams January 2022: Job Market 100-150 applicati ons Septemb er 2022: Start Tenure Track $40K- $100K July-september: GRE: (if you do well, there will be a part- refund of the fees) Huge cost
Economics is different other subjects The US model US top 200-400 universities / 1000 candidates (2013) All top non-university academic institutions (IMF, central banks) Some UK (LSE, UCL, Warwick, Essex, Oxford (post-doc) Some continental Europe (Toulouse, Norway, Holland) Traditional UK recruitment formal interviews, often with non economists sometimes group visits on the day concern is fairness of treatment to applicants Recruitment in Italy and other less developed academias Exam (Concorso) dual labour market people with tenure secure and well paid the rest no job security, low pay
job appointment panels In practice How does a person who sees/assesses a receiver of a PhD view the PhD? A certification that the holder is capable of carrying out original research. capable of carrying out/has the potential to carry out not necessarily in the PhD
In practice used to be a monograph problems with this not what economists do so what do economists do? they write papers to be published in journals since 1960 ALL original contributions to economics have appeared in papers in refereed journals. true in most physical sciences not true in many other social sciences not true prior to 1960 (Pigou, Keynes, Hicks, Chamberlin, ) not true in literary criticism, history, philosophy, arts.
In practice in economics, in UK (but similar in US) two/three publishable papers. reflected in size (longer does not mean better) two/three substantial chapters there must be a good reason to exceed 100 pages An excellent substantial chapter (JMP) At least another substantial chapter there must be a good reason to exceed 100 pages
Back to the beginning Choosing where to apply. Choosing what to apply for. PhD MSc UK requires a good MSc The role of the research project - screening applicants a relic from the past nowadays exams are better or a writing sample
How do you choose a school? The best model is a top 50 US school Size matters implies structure/environment/etc much time is spent with other PhDs Quality matter better profs & better students From year 1/2 grant/scholarship/TAship
Back to the beginning Choosing the topic (more relevant for UK style) general good advice is: choose your supervisor first steer through literature academic support (occasionally pastoral) research guidance career advice
The role of the supervisor what should he/she do? listen to your ideas however crazy and demented sift through them looking for nuggets of gold make you write from early on read what you have written scribble heavily on it make you stand at the whiteboard to justify your stuff care about you what should he/she not do? ask you to teach in his/her stead (worse unpaid) ask you to organise conferences/seminars ask you to carry his/her bags let you wander away from the goal of completing forget that he/she has a job and you do not compete with you try to seduce you
The role of the supervisor the supervisor should not but will do this to you