How do Doctoral Research Academics Perceive their Research Activities to be of Benefit to Undergraduate Students?

<p>The principal rationale for this research paper is to discuss the link between a lecturers Doctoral research activity and its perceived benefits or drawbacks for <em>undergraduate </em>students in todays’ Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s).The perceptions that six Doctoral academics have with regard to the impact their work has on such students was specifically investigated. In-depth interviews with them gleaned research results which demonstrate the degree to which their research activities have positive or negative consequences for undergraduate students.</p><p>Broadly speaking, three main types of activities were identified as having a <em>positive</em> impact, First was the topic-specific ‘cutting-edge’ knowledge that was perceived as beneficial to students. Secondly, the broad-based liberal learning ethos they brought to their teaching added value, whereby some students basked in their ‘reflected glory’.Thirdly,their specific research methods skills were of benefit, especially to Dissertation students. A contrary perspective identified the following three <em>drawbacks.</em> Firstly, sometimes a Doctoral research academics knowledge was ‘pitched’ at inappropriate or too high a level for undergraduate students’ abilities. The inaccessibility of such staff to these students was a second issue that was problematic.Thirdly, a disconnect between such academics and the actual ownership and relevance of such their work to the students and their future careers was examined.</p>