Academic Mobility in an Emerging European Research Area: Perception and Realization of its Instruments among PhD Candidates

This paper considers perception and realization of EU-off ered instruments and frameworks from the perspective of intra-EU mobile PhD candidates. In the context of current discussions about European Union research policies and their development, this paper shows who, how and under what circumstances doctoral candidates are participating and evaluating programs designed to encourage mobility and ‘excellence’. The basis for this research is 38 interviews with mobile PhDs candidates. It is shown that general knowledge about these programs is limited but positive, as the programs are known for their prestige. Universities and colleagues are the main distributors of information. The majority of our sample are not taking part in such programs and have no concrete plans to do so. This may be connected to their status as early-career scientists and their uncertain future.