The Idea of the PhD: The doctorate in the 21st century imagination analyses the PhD as it is articulated in diverse areas of contemporary discourse at a time in which the degree is undergoing growth, change and scrutiny worldwide.

Frances Kelly is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Critical Studies in Education, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Introduction 1. The nature of doctoral research 2. The idea of the PhD researcher 3. The idea of PhD pedagogy 4. The spaces of doctoral research Concluding remarks