Advancing Ph.D. education at the University of Washington
We started the Ph.D. Taskforce to develop a forward-looking vision for Ph.D. education at the University of Washington – one that prepares students for a changing world, while sustaining the excellence of UW’s research and educational mission. The Taskforce examined five interconnected areas of the Ph.D. experience: academic progress and success, career and professional development, community and belonging, funding and mentoring and advising. Its work asked both what is working well across UW and where greater clarity, consistency or support could improve the experience of PhD students.
Over the past year, faculty, staff, students, and academic leaders from across the University contributed their time, expertise, and perspectives. Through research, data analysis, stakeholder conversations, and collaborative working sessions, the Taskforce developed recommendations for both near-term improvements and longer-term change.
Read the taskforce report
The Taskforce Report identifies opportunities to strengthen Ph.D. education at UW and provides recommendations and practical tools for moving that work forward.
Explore the report and learn more about the Taskforce’s discovery and recommendations.
Looking ahead: year 2
In 2026-27, the Graduate School will move from recommendation to action. We will concentrate on improving our understanding how Ph.D. students are funded; strengthening funding data available to programs; expanding mentoring and advising resources; supporting clearer, more useful graduate student handbooks; using data to better shape student programming and resources; and helping programs better understand students’ progress toward their degrees.
Some of this work will happen within the Graduate School, although, much of it will require partnership with faculty and staff in schools, colleges and central units across UW. The Year 2 Action Plan outlines what we will focus on through June 30, 2027 and what we hope to accomplish.
Explore the year 2 action plan
Share your feedback
The work does not end with the publication of the report. We want to continue learning from the faculty, staff and students who experience and support PhD education across UW.
We invite you to:
- Share comments on the Taskforce Report
- Provide input on the Year 2 Action Plan
- Suggest opportunities for collaboration
- Ask questions about the work or recommendations
Together, we can continue building a stronger, more supportive, and more inclusive environment for PhD education at the University of Washington.