Pedagogies of publishing in doctoral education: PhD thesis production in Nordic media, journalism and communication studies, 2019–2023

Abstract

This study aims to investigate doctoral theses in media, journalism and communication studies in the Nordic countries between 2019 and 2023, with a particular focus on choices of thesis format and language. It aims to understand disciplinary patterns, institutional influences and the factors shaping doctoral candidates’ decisions. The analysis combines a systematic review of all completed theses during the four-year period with a survey of recent graduates (n = 151). The review examines format, language, and open access availability, while the survey explores motivations and influences behind candidates’ choices. An average of 14 theses were produced annually in the field. Article-based dissertations showed a clear upward trend, constituting roughly 52 % of all theses across the period. English was increasingly preferred, particularly in Finland and Sweden. Despite institutional open access mandates, one quarter of monograph theses were not available online. Survey responses indicate that candidates’ choices were primarily shaped by disciplinary conventions and supervisors’ preferences. The findings are limited by variations in national reporting practices and the uneven availability of thesis data. Nevertheless, the results offer a basis for future comparative research on doctoral education and scholarly communication. The study underscores the need for clearer supervision and institutional guidance regarding academic publishing strategies, open access compliance and the visibility of doctoral work. In general, it is essential to reflect on the alignment between publication format and the doctoral candidate’s individual strengths and circumstances, while critically interrogating established disciplinary norms to support a genuinely learner-centred doctoral trajectory. The study offers insights for supervisors and students about how publication formats shape the doctoral studies supervision and learning process. Enhanced transparency and accessibility of doctoral theses may improve public understanding of media and communication research and support broader dissemination of scholarly knowledge. This study provides a systematic, cross-Nordic overview of doctoral thesis practices in media, journalism, and communication studies, integrating both quantitative trends and doctoral graduates’ self-reported motivations.