Norwegian PhD pipeline shrinking, especially in STEM – many candidates abandon research; nearly half of new PhD fellows are international, about half of those leave Norway after graduation, and a significant share never finish their doctorate. [1]
Government created expert panel to reshape doctoral education – the panel will assess how PhDs can meet future research, labor market, and societal needs, recognizing that strong PhD training underpins national adaptability. [1]
PhD graduates deliver critical expertise across sectors – they provide advanced knowledge for academia, fuel industry innovation and competitiveness, and supply critical thinking for emergency response, health, green transition, and public administration. [1]
First recommendation: safeguard curiosity‑driven research and European standards – maintain PhD candidates as core knowledge producers and align programs with European principles to ensure international compatibility and quality. [1]
Second‑fourth recommendations: map industry value, broaden career routes, ease international access – gather data on how firms use researcher skills, create more attractive career options and mobility between academia and other sectors, and build on Menon’s proposals to simplify residence and work permits for foreign scholars. [1]
Fifth recommendation: investigate high dropout rates – conduct targeted analysis of academic and non‑academic causes, comparing Norwegian and international candidates, to prevent loss of talent that harms society. [1]