DRUID ACADEMY purpose and learning goals

The main purpose of the DRUID academy is to support PhD training and advancement of new knowledge. Before the conference, the PhD students write and submit an abstract following the guidelines specified in the call. Then the DRUID academy organizing committee selects approximately 70 papers for presentation at the conference based on fit with the DRUID theme, potential and quality of the abstract. The PhD students accepted for presentation then write a paper and submit it to the conference before the deadline.

The DRUID Academy is structured as a conference with a number of senior lectures presenting an advanced research topic and give insights on how to structure a research process and project as well as career advice, and a series of parallel PhD presentation tracks focused on advancing knowledge in specific themes, methodologies or sectors. Each PhD student paper will be assigned to a “junior” (a fellow PhD student) and to a senior discussant (from DRUID or invited guests). The PhD students will get advice on how to structure a presentation and how to give comments on scientific research papers as well as how to engage in knowledge sharing and networking activities. Some PhD students will also be asked to act as chairs in some of the parallel sessions and be given proper instruction in how to do that. The format of DRUID Academy provides a unique opportunity for the matching, interaction, and mentoring of senior researchers with PhD students during the entire event.

Learning outcomes:

Knowledge

On completion of the academy the PhD student will

  • Have an advanced overview of recent development in the scientific literature on economics and management of innovation, entrepreneurship and organizations
  • Have advanced knowledge of various topics related to dynamics of technological, structural, and institutional change at the level of firms, industries, regions and nations
  • Be able to assess different methods for analyzing dynamics of technological, structural and institutional change, and develop new knowledge and theories on these processes.

Skills

On completion of the academy, the PhD student will be able to:

  • Present advanced research at international scientific conferences
  • Discuss their research with fellow researchers at an international level
  • Identify job opportunities relevant for PhD students
  • Provide research-based advice to relevant stakeholders, such as managers and policy makers

General competence

On completion of the academy, the PhD student will be able to

  • Assess various strategies for professional and career development
  • Carry out research in a professional manner
  • Communicate and disseminate academic research for an audience of scholars
  • Participate in scholarly debates at an international level about dynamics of technological, structural, and institutional change at the level of firms, industries, regions and nations
  • Take the initiative to promote engagement and impact of research.