Introduction

What is Langnet?

Founded in 1998, Langnet is a doctoral programme in language studies, operating at the national level in Finland. Over the years, Langnet has strengthened its position not only among Finnish graduate schools, but also in the field of language studies. Langnet is a network that links together doctoral students of various languages, based in various universities and departments throughout Finland. Langnet includes the Universities of Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Oulu, Tampere, Turku and Vaasa, as well as the Åbo Akademi University, the Helsinki School of Economics and the Research Institute for the Languages of Finland. In international comparison, Langnet is unique. Langnet is probably the only one of its kind in Europe, possibly in the whole world, as it operates throughout the whole country, encompasses all language disciplines, is mainly publicly funded and has approximately 100 full-time doctoral students and over 150 supervisors.

Indispensible peer support

Doctoral students greatly appreciate the peer support from fellow postgraduate students. The activities Langnet organises allow students time out from their studies to discuss the challenges of writing a doctoral dissertation with their peers. Langnet is a sizeable graduate school and active students have the chance to integrate into the Finnish community of language researchers.

Competent supervision

In 2009, over 150 supervisors took part in Langnet. They make up a pool of instructors whose long academic experience and strong professional competence are at the disposal of all the doctoral students. Supervisors work within the sub-programmes according to their expertise. If the need arises, doctoral students can turn to any of the supervisors with a question concerning their dissertation. Competent, honest and encouraging feedback is crucial to the progress of a doctoral dissertation.

International opportunities

Langnet works in close cooperation with other international doctoral programmes in language studies and with other collaborative networks (such as NordLing and Langscape). Doctoral students are well placed to attend courses and seminars abroad and to establish contacts with international supervisors. Travel grants are awarded to Langnet students for attending international conferences. There are also international docftoral students working on their doctoral dissertation within Langnet.

Quality education in language research

One of Langnet's most important tasks is to offer the doctoral students internationally recognised education. The curriculum includes courses on language research theory and modern trends in research, methodology and courses focusing on the researcher’s professional skills. Within the four-year term, the aim is to offer an extensive and up-to-date series of courses of interest to as many doctoral students as possible.

Continuous development

The graduate school, which is now in its fourth four-year term, continues to improve its operations on the basis of regular feedback from students. Special attention has recently been paid to the transparency of administration and the student selection. In 2009, development efforts focused on the training programme. An example of a future development project will be the route of new doctoral graduates from the graduate school into working life.

Departmental cooperation

Langnet cooperates with the students' home departments. The home departments pay a 'departmental fee' for each of their doctoral students. The fee is paid on an annual basis in lieu of the services Langnet provides. The home departments also provide the premises and the computers for their students at Langnet. Doctoral students who are financed by the Ministry of Education, enter into a contract with, and also receive their wages from, their home department.

Encouraging research

Langnet's most important task is to create the best possible circumstances for the successful completion of the dissertation. A regular income, competent supervision, suitable premises, a stimulating research community, rewarding educational seminars, opportunities to travel and constructive feedback are all priorities. Langnet encourages its doctoral students to continue their work even in challenging situations and makes efforts to support the professional growth of the students in the early stages of their research careers.