Volda 17th – 20th October 2025
Creativity and theorizing in the PhD on professions
A 2016 article by Richard Swedberg is entitled “Before theory comes theorizing or how to make social science more interesting” https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1468-4446.12184. The statement “Before theory comes theorizing” has (at least) two theory-related implications for PhD candidates in research on professions: 1) The theory used in research should not be viewed as static, but dynamic. The theory generators must have generated the theory with the help of some empirical material, and in this process, even prominent theory generators could be (partly) wrong. Thus, PhD candidates should not be required to obey established theoretical concepts as authoritative objects from the “great men of theory” (to use a phrase from grounded theory founders Glaser and Strauss), but be allowed to engage with and criticize existing theory within their respective fields of research. 2) Depending on how the concept of theory is defined, PhD candidates should be encouraged to theorize creatively on their own, at least if they have the drive and ambition to do so. However, as Swedberg has pointed out, for most researchers, theorizing requires the training of theorizing skills. During the Volda symposium 17-20 March 2025, we will examine prospects for theorizing within the PhD and beyond. A second topic in the Volda symposium is supervision in the PhD and the supervisor-candidate relationship. Both topics will be highlighted in lectures, group discussions and practical tasks.
Preliminary programme
NB! May be subject to minor changes
MONDAY 17 MARCH 2025
- 11:30 Bus from the hotel to campus
- 12:10 Bus from the airport to campus
- 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch in the canteen
- 13.00 – 13.15 Welcome and introduction by Birgitta Haga Gripsrud. Room: Vekselstrøm.
- 13.15 – 14.45 Supervision and the PhD by Silje Fekjær. Room: Vekselstrøm.
- 14.45 – 15.00 Coffee break
- 15.00 - 16.00 Theorizing in research on professions by Barbara Walters. Room: Vekselstrøm.
- 16.00 Bus to the hotel
- 19.00 Dinner at the hotel
TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2025
- 08.30 Transport to campus
- 09.00 – 12.00 Theorizing and the PhD by Mette Andersson and Anders Vassenden. Room: Vekselstrøm (coffee break included)
- 12.00 – 13.00 Lunch in the canteen
- 13.00 – 15.45 Abduction in research on professions by Iddo Tavory. Room: Vekselstrøm (coffee break included)
- 16.00 Bus to the hotel
- 17.30 – 18.45 Philosophical salon with James McGuirk at the hotel
- Dinner suggestions Ørsta: Tandoori Mix, Tik Café and Restaurant, Det Lille Napoli.
- Dinner Suggestions Volda: Brør bar og bistro, Tredet.
WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2025
- 08.30 Transport to campus
- 09.00 Introduction to Work in progress by Birgitte Haga Gripsrud. Room: Folkelivet.
- 09.15 – 12.00 Work in progress. Seminar rooms.
- 12.00 – 13.00 Lunch in the canteen
- 13.00 – 14.00 After Work in progress / own work. Recommended rooms: Folkelivet, Tilskodaren.
- 14.00 – 14.15 Coffee break
- 14.15 – 15.15 Candidates’ corner. Room: Skildringa. / Staff meeting. Room: Granskinga.
- 15.30 Bus to the hotel
- 17.45 Bus departure from the hotel to dinner venue
THURSDAY 20 MARCH 2025
- 08.30 Transport to campus
- 09.00 – 11.45 Research and discussion on supervision in the PhD by Rune Krumsvik. Room: Vekselstrøm (coffee break included).
- 11.45 - 12.00 Summary of the symposium by Birgitte Haga Gripsrud
- 12.00 Grab and go
Organizing Committee: Professors Kjartan Leer-Salvesen, Ådne Meling and Silje Louise Dahl, Volda University College, Norway
Administrative advisors: Camilla Melhuus Line, Øyvind Nystøl, University of Stavanger and University of Agder