This Could Be Heaven, or This Could Be Hell: Exploring the Complexity Experienced by Swedish Doctoral Researchers from a Workplace Perspective

The situation for Swedish doctoral researchers has been described as a ‘heavenly hell’. Many are satisfied with their education and have a good relationship with their supervisor. Still, there are also problematic aspects of life as a doctoral researcher which at the worst can lead to illness and/or dropping out. A similar dualism exists in studies at the international level.

This chapter aims to explore the complexity experienced and handled by Swedish doctoral researchers from a workplace perspective. It reveals some of the greatest difficulties and proposes means to cope with them. The arguments presented are based on previous research, personal experience and empirical data from qualitative questionnaires and interviews. Here, leaders of doctoral education and policymakers are provided with examples from which to develop and enhance their doctoral researchers’ working conditions in order to minimise work-related illness and attrition, stimulate creativity and passion, and encourage flexibility to cope with the rigors inherent in research. The special circumstances caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic are noted. The theoretical starting-points of the measures suggested are the Demand-Control-Support Model and relational pedagogy.