Doctor of Professional Studies (Transdisciplinary) by Public Works

Program Overview

The Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf) by Public Works is a doctoral program designed for professionals with substantial published work that has influenced their field. It offers individualized guidance, rigorous assessment, and recognition of the significant contributions of practitioners to knowledge and practice.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf) by Public Works

is a doctoral program designed for high-achieving professional practitioners who already have a substantial amount of published work (“public works”) that influences practice and contributes to knowledge in their field.

Objectives:

• Provide a platform for professionals to critique their own contributions and derive further learning from their public works.
• Recognize the contribution of innovative thinkers and practitioners whose work has significantly impacted their field.
• Offer an alternative to the traditional PhD by published works, focusing on the critical analysis of existing work rather than conducting new research.

Program Description:

• The DProf by Public Works is open to all professional areas, as the focus is defined by the candidate's specific work context and interest.
• The approach is interdisciplinary, cutting across disciplines even when candidates have strong roots in a particular profession or occupation.
• The public works can be in various forms, including published works, edited texts, scholarly works, specialist reports, translations, collections of artefacts, videos, musical scores, diagrammatic representations, and more.
• The program focuses on the candidate critiquing their own work and deriving further learning and insight from it.
• It is a rigorous program with high academic standards, similar to the traditional PhD program.
• Successful completion of the program leads to the award of the Doctorate, allowing the candidate to be addressed with the title 'Dr'.

Key Features:

• Individualized and intensive critique of public works.
• Recognition of the significant contributions of practitioners to knowledge and practice.
• An alternative to the PhD by published works, focusing on critical analysis rather than new research.
• A professional equivalent to the PhD by published works, with equivalent rigorous assessment methods and criteria.
• A focus on the individual's professional working environment and inquiry.

Outline:

Program Structure:

• Part-time program with a duration of one year.
• No specific start dates; candidates can enroll throughout the year.

Program Content:

• Individualized critique and analysis of the candidate's public works.
• Development of a context statement, positioning the candidate and their works within the wider field.
• Preparation of a 20-25,000 word critique of the public works.
• Completion of a draft and a final version of the critique for examination.
• Oral presentation and discussion of the public works with a Viva panel.

Assessment:

• Examination of the submitted public works and context statement by two independent examiners.
• Oral presentation and discussion of the work with the examiners (Viva voce).
• Successful completion requires satisfaction of the examiners regarding the quality of both the written submission and the oral presentation.
• Program handbooks, online materials, and university learning resources.
• Access to research seminars, workshops, and lectures.
• Virtual learning environment (VLE) for communication and resource access.

Careers:

• Enhanced professional recognition and credibility.
• Increased opportunities for leadership and advancement within their field.
• Deeper understanding and critical analysis of their own work and its impact.
• Improved ability to contribute to the development of knowledge and practice in their field.
• Access to a network of other professionals with similar interests and experiences.

Other:

• The program is designed to be flexible and accessible to busy professionals.
• Candidates can choose the public works they wish to submit for analysis, allowing for a tailored learning experience.
• The program emphasizes the importance of reflection and critical self-evaluation in professional development.
• It provides a unique opportunity for practitioners to gain formal recognition for their contributions to their field.