Doctoral candidates neglect industry engagement at their peril. Nor should they view engagement as simply a favour from industry partners. Experience with industry enhances the relevance and impact of their research and opens career pathways beyond academia. Yet, it remains underemphasised for PhD candidates. Less than 3 per cent were engaged with industry through industry-funded scholarships or approved industry internships or entered into intellectual property agreements with external organisations, according to a 2017 survey by the Australian Council of Graduate Research. The trend is, however, growing, particularly with university-industry collaborative PhDs, found French researchers in 2023.
Industry engagement – where the word “industry” covers business, community and government – matters as it provides opportunities to transform research outputs into tangible impacts. Working with industry during their candidature allows doctoral researchers to co-develop projects that are informed by real-world challenges, increasing the applicability of their work. Apart from solving real-world problems, other valuable outcomes of such collaborations may include joint publications, conference presentations and industry briefings.
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Working on research projects with industry also enables doctoral candidates to build professional networks, strengthen their CVs and develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork, project management and problem-solving. They should recognise it as a mutually beneficial professional and research collaboration.
This article explores the rationale, timing and strategies for effective industry engagement for doctoral candidates.
Models of industry engagement for doctoral candidates
Doctoral candidates can collaborate with industry partners in models that include industry-funded PhD projects, co-designed research initiatives, co-supervised research projects and industry-based research internships.
In Australia, the shift towards the integration of industry engagement into doctoral programmes is driven by initiatives such as the National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund and recommendations in the Australian Universities Accord report, which emphasise enhanced university-industry partnerships.
In my experience working with PhD candidates, however, I have found them reluctant to contact industry partners as they assume that industry receives no benefit from this interaction. On the contrary, industry engagement with PhD candidates is a win-win situation. In a recent survey of selected industry partners who hosted research interns from Western Sydney University, respondents agreed that “research interns bring fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the organisation” and that it is “an opportunity for identifying and recruiting future talent”.
Before approaching a potential partner, candidates should develop a clear value proposition: identify what they can offer the enterprise or industry and what outcomes they expect through the collaboration. This could involve aligning research questions with real-world challenges, co-designing projects to meet industry needs or engaging partners in data collection and dissemination.
Doctoral candidates can use the following reflective questions to guide their engagement efforts. They should ask themselves:
- What skills and capabilities do I offer?
- What real-world problems can I help solve?
- Who can benefit from my research?
- How should I engage with them?
Optimal timing of industry engagement for doctoral candidates
Engaging with industry can be strategically timed throughout doctoral studies. Ideally, candidates should initiate contact with potential industry partners at the start of their candidature. Early engagement, particularly during the proposal-writing phase, can help refine research questions and align them with industry needs. It also facilitates planning for data collection and resource allocation.
Doctoral candidates can also engage during the later years of their studies through research internship opportunities. For example, while waiting for data from surveys or experiments, candidates can undertake internships in manageable segments. This period is also suitable for deepening collaborations and integrating industry feedback into ongoing research. Those who find it hard to identify and align with an industry partner due to heavy research load may find more time towards the end of their candidature. At this time, their industry engagement can focus on disseminating research outcomes and exploring postdoctoral opportunities with industry partners.
Strategies for effective engagement
Successful industry engagement requires a proactive and strategic approach. Doctoral candidates should first identify potential industry partners and assess the skills and capabilities they can offer. This includes understanding practical applications of their research and the real-world problems it can address. Candidates should think broadly about potential beneficiaries, including government agencies, non-profit organisations, community organisations and businesses.
Building trust is crucial. Researchers must listen actively to industry partners, align their projects with industry needs and maintain open communication throughout the research process. Regular updates and engagement at every stage help sustain the relationship and ensure mutual benefit.
Engagement can be initiated through channels such as personal networks, academic supervisors, volunteering and professional conferences. Social media platforms like LinkedIn and other discipline-specific forums such as professional bodies also offer opportunities to connect with industry professionals.
Industry engagement is no longer optional
Industry engagement is no longer a peripheral aspect of doctoral programmes. It has become a central component that enhances research impact and broadens career horizons. By strategically engaging with industry partners, doctoral candidates can ensure their research addresses real-world challenges, gains practical relevance and contributes meaningfully to society. With a proactive mindset, doctoral candidates can build sustainable partnerships that benefit both candidates and industry. As the research landscape continues to evolve, embracing industry engagement is not just a beneficial option, it is an essential part of a doctoral candidature.
Adnan Syed Muhammad is graduate research industry leader at Western Sydney University and the founder and executive director of the Academic Leadership Institute Australia.
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