A review of the economic and social value produced through funding PhD students

This comprehensive review investigates the economic and social value generated through PhD funding. It reveals substantial positive impacts on professional and personal development, particularly for women, and demonstrates significant returns for individuals, the Exchequer, industry, and university-industry collaborations.

The report delves into how PhD studies fit into place-based strategies and universities’ civic roles, providing valuable insights for academic institutions and policymakers. By examining the wide-ranging benefits of doctoral education, this study makes a compelling case for PhD funding as an integral part of universities’ wider civic missions.

Johannes Read, Alice Pugh, George Bramley, and Rebecca Riley at City-REDI, University of Birmingham.