PhD or practical experience?

[Jeremono]

I’ve been lecturing on a professional course in the UK that I qualified in years ago (lawyer) alongside practising, as well as picking up extra classes for undergrad and postgrad modules.

I really enjoy lecturing and my long term goal is to move abroad (Malaysia) to teach full time and be closer to my sister.

I’d like to do everything that I can now to make myself more appealing to the universities that I will be applying to in the future. I’m unsure if doing a PhD is the best way to increase my chances or to continue as I am.

I have masters degrees and a couple of papers published (co-authored). If I take the PhD route, I’ll give up practice. If I continue as I am, I would hope to publish more and move into full time teaching here by the time I apply.

Which route do you think a university would value more?

Can you look at a PhD by publication? That route might mean you can have both?

@MassiveTit (😂 love the username) I looked into it and understood it would be a suitable option for those much further into their careers with a greater depth of research and publications.

Unfortunately, I don’t think that would apply to me in the near future.

A PhD is a huge endeavour, and not something to take on lightly whilst working. I would say do a PhD if it is something you want to do whether you need it or not. I’m sure it will help you in your career, well it’s not going to hurt, but you’ve got this far without one. Do you need one for promotion/progression? Do Universities in Malaysia require one to work there?

PhD by publication is about the thesis being in the format of three (or more) papers plus intro and conclusion, rather than a monograph. It's not a more advanced phd for experienced researchers. Equally, I don't think it's necessarily better suited to a part time format.

I think the best advice is to look at what jobs for lecturers in Malaysia are asking for, and if they specify a PhD.If you specialise in eg English and Welsh law, will that be relevant to a different jurisdiction?

Personally, I wouldn't do a PhD solely for the purpose of getting a specific job. It's a big undertaking and the job may never materialise. Do it because you are interested in the area you want to research and see where it takes you.

That’s interesting, thank you for the responses.

I’ve kept an eye out for job adverts over the years, as well as regularly checking staff profiles, and it seems a mixed bag. Some have PhDs, others have no PhD but a lot of teaching experience, and a few very high level practitioners.

It’s something I’ve gone back and forth on for years and feel it’s now or never.

In that case the thing to do may be to start to apply for jobs that interest you, and also to put a PhD proposal together and start to talk to prospective supervisors about applying for funding. And see how far get on each route.

That seems a sensible approach. I’m not at a point where I can move abroad just yet but I can try to put together a proposal and take steps towards the PhD. If it works out, great. If it doesn’t materialise, I suppose that’s the decision made.

Thank you for your help.

Finally, the university name (unfortunately) is influential when it comes to applying to law firms. Is it the same for lecturers?