Within its efforts to support research and collaboration at PhD level within the network, SGroup decided to support the development of a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) specifically on Doctoral Education.

Behind such a decision laid key reasons, such as:

1. Development of Key Skills: Doctoral students are not only researchers but also future educators, mentors, and leaders in their respective fields. This Blended Intensive Programme is designed to equip them with crucial skills such as teaching, academic writing, project management, and leadership. These skills are not always explicitly taught in traditional PhD programs, but they are essential for success in academia and beyond.

2. Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Doctoral education is often discipline-specific, but research is increasingly interdisciplinary. When designing this Blended Intensive Programme, SGroup aimed to create opportunities for doctoral students from different fields to meet, engage, collaborate, share ideas, and learn from each other. The purpose is to foster a broader perspective, encourage creative problem-solving, and help doctoral students and early career researchers understand the broader context of their work.

3. Professional Socialization: The activities and networking initiatives included in the programme of the BIP aim to provide participants with a structured environment in which they can engage with experienced scholars, gain insights into the academic career trajectory, and learn how to navigate the professional challenges of academia. This is crucial for building networks, understanding academic culture, and preparing them for the future.

4. Enhancing Research Productivity: The BIP programme also seeks to provide tools for more efficient research, such as time management strategies, research methodologies, and academic publishing techniques. The purpose is to allow students to enhance the quality and output of their research and meet their academic milestones and deadlines.

5. International Perspectives and Networking: By promoting the participation of PhD students, young researchers, professors and PhD supervisors from members across our network, SGroup seeks to bring together participants from various regions, countries and institutions, promoting a global perspective on research and education. SGroup understands the potential that the network has in terms of developing joint research initiatives, creating interesting international job opportunities, and fostering institutional collaboration across EU borders and continents.

 

BIP Editions:

2025 - University Rovira i Virgili, Spain

2024 - University of Split, Croatia

2023 - University of Valladolid, Spain

 

Through this initiative, SGroup seeks to help its members in their continuous effort to support its students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their research careers, while preparing them to take on roles as educators, mentors, and leaders in academia or industry.