PHDS
BEYOND COMPETITION

“DRIVING CHANGE, TOGETHER”

CONTEXT

On the initiative of Belgian scholars, the ‘Beyond Competition’ project strives to encourage collaboration between Belgian Universities and University Colleges, through their respective Schools of Management. Under this flag, projects are launched to target Master students, Alumni, Executives in general, as well as PhD candidates. The latter group is the focus of this initiative.

COLLABORATING MANAGEMENT SCHOOLS

UCLouvain – LSM

UGent – FEB

ULB – Solvay

VUB

(expansion to other schools possible).

SUBJECT MATTER

This project is designed to improve PhDs’ training by creating concrete opportunities for researchers (scholars, post-doc, etc.) from a Dutch speaking University to present ERS related research or research with strong societal impact to PhDs from a French speaking University – and vice-versa.

Research is seen as a work in progress and the discussion will address the following issues: not only results, but also – and mainly – methodology and epistemology. Methodological and epistemological discussions are seen as key aspects, as they determine the conditions under which ERS research are seen as ‘robust’, with a ‘long-term view’. Globally speaking, the aim is to consolidate a common research culture on these issues by hybridizing central research issues. Our PhDs will gain in maturity, professionalism and openness to the world.

DISCUSSIONS’ STRUCTURE

Discussions will take place within a clearly identified PhD course and/or seminar, in each of the University partners participating to the project, in the frame – and with the support – of Doctoral Schools. Each session is structured to address the following issues:

Presentation of an ‘ERS research’ or a ‘research with strong societal impact’, with major findings
Methodological choices: reasons, strengths and limitations
Epistemological orientations, leading to critical discussions
Open discussion with a view of consolidating robust research on these issues
Identifying learning outcomes (LO) and designing research connections for the future

The discussion model ensures a varying combination of roles from the different partners (Convenor, Researchers, PhDs).

TIMELINE

Every institution participating to the project commits itself to host such initiative once a year. As leading partners, UCLouvain – LSM and UGent – FEB have already ‘tested’ a pilot phase @UCLouvain on 14 March 2025, within the LSM PhD course “Epistemology of Management”. @UGent, the identified seminars are: “Brown Bag Seminar” and possibly “Research Days”. The other partners are invited to join at any stage.

CONTACTS: