BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH - THE INDUSTRIAL PhD

Design and architecture require a good deal of practice based learning and performing. By the same time theoretical knowledge and research training in these fields become increasingly important, especially on an advanced level. In academia, PhD candidates often grapple with this double challenge, not just during their studies but also applying results in the daily professional practice. In order to facilitate cross-pollination of theory and practice, the Industrial PhD. scheme has been introduced in Norway in 2008. Within this scheme companies can apply for support for a three-year period for an employee seeking to pursue an ordinary doctoral degree. This paper discusses the Industrial PhD approach in Norway based on documentations of last years' results and an in-depth case study from an Industrial PhD in a leading Norwegian Architecture Bureau. The paper is meant as input to the ongoing dispute on the relation between design research and practice in different European design and architecture schools and as contribution to appraise and develop doctoral schemes in design and architecture.