European Doctoral Day 2027
“Across Europe, doctoral candidates and PhD holders drive the research, innovation, and discoveries that shape our shared future. European Doctoral Day exists to celebrate them and to inspire the next generation to join them”
Europe's doctorate is one of its greatest assets. Doctoral graduates carry scientific excellence into universities, companies, public institutions and society at large. And Europe's ability to attract talented young researchers from around the world, from every discipline and every background, is central to its future as a place of discovery and innovation.
That future depends on what we do today: encouraging bright, curious minds to choose research careers, helping employers recognize the full value of a doctorate and the skills of PhD holders, and showing the next generation of students just how far a PhD can take them.
This is exactly what European Doctoral Day was created to do. Following a successful first edition in May 2026 — 180 events across 25 countries and more than 14,850 participants — we are inviting universities, institutions, research organizations, and networks across Europe to once again open their doors and celebrate the doctorate in 2027.
Whether you organize a festival, an information stand, a webinar, a graduation ceremony, a "3-Minute Thesis" contest, or a networking evening, every format is welcome, under one shared charter, on one shared date, with one shared ambition: making the value of doctoral education visible, everywhere in Europe, all at once.
Visit the European Doctoral Day website for full details.
Join us for an online event
European Doctoral Day 2027: Life After the PhD
Thursday 13 May 2027 - 2pm-3pm (GMT time)
What happens after the PhD? As part of our European Doctoral Day 2027, join a small panel of PhD graduates working across a range of sectors as they share their experiences of transitioning from doctoral research into professional careers. Panellists will reflect on their career journeys, discuss how their PhD has influenced their work, and offer insights into the opportunities, challenges, and decisions they encountered along the way.
This is an excellent opportunity for current PGRs to explore different career pathways, gain practical advice, and ask questions about life after the PhD.
Overview of University Alliance - Doctoral Training Alliance
As universities with diverse student communities, Alliance institutions play a vital role in broadening the diversity of the UK’s R&D talent pipeline and are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion across their research programmes. University Alliance nurtures talented PhD researchers from around the world through its Doctoral Training Alliance (DTA) programmes. Its supportive and inclusive cohort model equips researchers with enhanced training that enables them to reach their full potential. Professional, personal and academic development sit at the core of the programmes. Working in partnership with member universities and expert external trainers, the DTA delivers a wide range of discipline specific and professional skills training. Through its nationwide network, the Alliance fosters connections across the UK and beyond, creating rich professional communities that link academics, professional staff, industry and international partners.
