Supporting the next generation of psychologists

This month, we launch a new collection of pieces that highlight ways to improve doctoral education and support graduate student trainees to their fullest potential.

Graduate students in psychology need hands-on support to conduct research using quantitative techniques that exceed their curricular training. Where supervisors are not willing or able to provide this support, student-led projects must be redesigned to leverage basic statistical skills learned in the classroom.

It is normal to deal with difficult situations during PhD studies. Students and their advisors can set themselves up for success and minimize potential challenges with foreknowledge and by making expectations and workflows explicit.

Minoritized doctoral students are subject to cultural taxation — disproportionate expectations and obligations based on their race or ethnicity — that negatively impacts their PhD studies. Faculty members and departments should counteract this taxation to support students of colour.

The current system of peer review drives racial and gender disparities in publication and funding outcomes and can suppress the perspectives of marginalized scholars. Established researchers have an opportunity to help to build a fairer and more inclusive peer review culture by advocating for and empowering their trainees.

Mentoring is a core part of training the next generation of psychologists. Recognizing how culture and social identities inform mentorship and science is essential for creating a diverse and therefore robust workforce of psychologists.

Formal onboarding materials help to introduce new undergraduate researchers to a specific laboratory and the broader culture of the field. Research faculty members should be supported and encouraged to create these materials.

PhD training in psychology asks people to receive training while simultaneously executing the essential work of a university. A healthy PhD approach that places student wellbeing ahead of productivity is a counterweight to these conditions.

Nature Reviews Psychology is interviewing individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology who pursued non-academic careers. We spoke with Jens Foell about his journey from a research associate to a science journalist for German television.

Nature Reviews Psychology is interviewing individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology who pursued non-academic careers. We spoke with Lauren D. Kendall Brooks about her journey from a postdoctoral research associate to a research scientist.

Nature Reviews Psychology is interviewing individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology who pursued non-academic careers. We spoke with Betty Tuller about her journey from a full professor to a programme director.

Nature Reviews Psychology is interviewing individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology who pursued non-academic careers. We spoke with Christiane Ahlheim about her journey from a postdoctoral research associate to a data scientist.

Nature Reviews Psychology is interviewing individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology who pursued non-academic careers. We spoke with David Thomson about his journey from postdoctoral fellow to vice president of strategy at a management consulting firm.

Nature Reviews Psychology is interviewing individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology who pursued non-academic careers. We spoke with Helena García Mieres about her journey from a post-doctoral fellow to a human factors technician.

Nature Reviews Psychology is interviewing individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology who pursued non-academic careers. We spoke with Deepti Ramadoss about her journey from research scientist to director of graduate studies.