CDAs for Supervisors and Non-Higher Education Organisations
Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDAs) are doctoral studentship projects which are developed by a university-based academic in collaboration with an organisation outside of higher education (non-HEO partner). CDAs are intended to facilitate knowledge exchange between universities and a diverse range of non-HEO partners, including smaller, regional partners.
Submitting a CDA Proposal
To host a CDA, the collaborating academics and non-HEO partner are required to submit a proposal for consideration by the CHASE Management Board. The proposal should outline a research project, along with details of what each party will contribute to the project. Please visit our Submitting a CDA Proposal page for more information about the application process, or download a copy of our CDA proposal form.
Applications are now open.
Supervising a CDA
All research proposals must be submitted by a supervisory team. This consists of
· A lead contact supervisor
· A second supervisor
· A supervisor from the partner organisation
The lead contact supervisor is responsible for overseeing the project and submitting the CDA proposal.
The second supervisor should be actively involved in the research project and/or have expertise in the research area specified in the CDA proposal.
Supervisors from partner organisations are responsible for providing access to resources at their organisation, such as archives, training, and office space.
The supervisory team should each contribute to the project and form a genuine research partnership that has measurable benefits for the doctoral researcher, the academic institution and the partner organisation.
The UK Council for Graduate Education has published a guide for how supervisors based outside higher education institutions can best support their doctoral researchers. The guide covers basic topics, such as the definition and benefits of doctoral education, as well as the challenges faced by external supervisors, especially during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
If you are interested in becoming a CHASE partner organisation, please fill out our enquiry form.
For more information on the application process, including eligibility, please visit our Submitting a CDA Proposal page. You can also watch our interactive webinar below.
“As a doctoral researcher I think you run the risk of having your work and thoughts dominated by academic requirements! [H]aving a non-academic partner keeps [my] research more varied and grounded, and gives [me] the space and support to think about [my] research from other perspectives.”
— Becky Winstanley, CDA student (Osmani Trust & SOAS, University of London)
“Having a supervisor at my partner institution is great because they offer a different perspective on my thesis, and provide access not just to research material but also to network of professionals who work with the collections.
Your partner institution can give you access to opportunities that you may not otherwise have had (or even known about), and to the knowledge and expertise of those working in its field.”
— Olivia Croyle, CDA student (Museum of London & University of East Anglia)