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[applyingmyself]

I'm starting a DPhil at Oxbridge in technology studies at the business school this autumn. (It's probably easy to guess where and how, but I'll try to retain some anonymity here!) I simply love studying technology in society, researching and writing. I did my undergraduate degree in STS in America and loved it, and also have a business background. This seems like a great fit for my interests. I am attracted to the academic freedom of the UK degree, my particular advisor, and the fact that few business schools have this particular academic focus. I'm still trying to get a handle on my career plans.

In addition to simply loving the subject, I realize that I really need to understand the career aspects so I can have a good result when I graduate in a few years.

(I've discussed my plans with my advisor and I've read the previous threads, but wanted to share my situation and see if anyone had experiences to relate.)

Those Americans who have a DPhil from Oxbridge in social science -- What are you up to now? Were you able to teach in the US? (I understand this is difficult, but a couple of graduates from my department have done it, and I was a TA in undergrad if that is any help.) Were you able to teach at other universities where the language of instruction is English (Netherlands, Australia, Middle East, Canada)? Are you happy you did your PhD in the UK? Are there places I should be careful to publish so I can keep my options open? What questions should I be asking to make sure I am doing the right things career-wise?

If it matters, I did a Masters in the UK and have dual EU/US citizenship.

Thanks!

[johnsem]

Only Oxford issues DPhil, it's PhD at Cambridge so much for anonymity...

If you are seeking an academic career, it's wise that you align your research with a more conventional subfield, e.g. organizational behavior, marketing, information systems, operations management.

While STS at Oxford Saïd Business School is relatively unique in name but a lot, and certainly by no means all, of what it covers overlaps with Information Systems at many other universities. Its counterparts at the other top business schools in UK would be Operations, Information & Technology Subject Group at Cambridge Judge Business School and Innovation, Entrepreneurship Group at Imperial College Business School, and Information Systems and Innovation Group at LSE.

If you are looking to return to the US or move on to Canada/Australia, then it's important that you are able to publish in one of the 45 Financial Times research journals (or a comparable list of journals). As a doctoral student, you want to start collaborating with your advisors early in the game so you can have co-authored papers by the time you reach your third year and go on the job market. It is also important that you present papers at conferences in the US.