ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to bring a range of perspectives, innovative practices and some rigorous research to try to highlight how we could boldly walk into the next chapter. Our reading of the book’s contributions suggests rather that the future of doctoral research is multifaceted and an indicator of how academia keeps growing. The book shows how far the doctoral process has moved away from the supervisor/supervisee model. It explores the many ways of creating positive, nurturing and ethical research cultures. The book describes ‘Doctoral research in the changing university’, underscoring how doctoral research changes in keeping with the global expansion and transformation of doctoral education programmes. It also shows the significant influence funding bodies – be they charities, governments, businesses or non-governmental agencies – can have on doctoral research.
