Reflection and planning: essential elements of professional doctorates

This paper is an exploration of two core elements of an institution-wide professional doctorate at Middlesex University, UK. The evolution of this programme is discussed, both in relation to broad doctoral developments and in relation to the Work Based Learning Studies programme from which it evolved. The two core elements are reflection and planning, and it is argued that these are inherent to high-level professional practice. An evaluation of how these elements have worked in practice within the programme is given.