Insights from the first edition of European Doctoral Day
On 13 May 2026, universities and institutions across Europe opened their doors for the very first European Doctoral Day.
European Doctoral Day 2026 in key figures
180
events across 25 european countries
“We will definitely return next year with an even more interesting event”
14,850+
participants (99 of 180 events reporting)
4,28 / 5
satisfaction score amongst the participants that took the survey
Testimonials
“This European framing is absolutely essential to maintain in future editions”
94%
of organisers plan to take part again in 2027
“Thank you for the organization - it was a pleasure to participate and to be part of it”
“It increased our visibility in and beyond Europe
”
Claudie Haigneré, Patron of the first European Doctoral Day: her message to doctoral candidates
The spirit of the doctorate is to search together, collectively, with rigour and patience, stepping back to gain perspective, offering new outlooks and, above all, connecting knowledge so as to become agents of transformation — transformation towards greater progress.
Three questions for Claudie Haigneré, MD, PhD, Astronaut, Minister for Research, Minister for European Affairs
I am Claudie Haigneré. I am a rheumatologist by training, hold a PhD in neuroscience, and I have had the privilege of being an astronaut, and later of engaging in politics — committing myself to research, to Europe, and to the transmission of knowledge.
Why did you agree to be Patron of European Doctoral Day?
I accepted, with pride, to be the Patron of this European Doctoral Day because it resonates very deeply with my career — or rather, my careers. Doctoral training cultivates rigour; it confronts you with doubt, with the depth of your own ideas and knowledge, and that is valuable in any career, whether in science, industry or politics.
It is, of course, a demanding intellectual exercise, but I believe it is essential for confronting the complexity of today's world.
What message would you like to give to future doctoral candidates?
For you, young people, choosing to embark on a doctorate is, I would say, a space of freedom you haven't had before.
It is a school of curiosity, patience, integrity and perseverance. And I can tell you that this proves extremely useful afterwards, whatever career lies ahead of you.
Businesses today, and the economic world more broadly, need minds capable of thinking deeply, of standing back and questioning assumptions — minds capable of innovating and adapting with perseverance over the long term. And only doctoral training can give you that.
How can doctoral education and research contribute to society?
It's true that research is the foundation for bringing positive transformation to our world, and that this research needs enthusiasm, curiosity and new young talent — and needs to be as inclusive as possible. By that, I mean having more young women joining the world of research. It is also research that needs to connect knowledge: we must move beyond disciplinary boundaries and be able to engage with the humanities and social sciences. Today, research also means finding solutions and taking action — but with responsibility.
A final word on European Doctoral Day?
This European Doctoral Day truly reflects the European values we uphold in research: freedom, open-mindedness, the free circulation of talent, and a genuine collective endeavour that will allow us to build research infrastructures capable of bringing us to the highest level of research and the greatest rigour. That, too, is Europe — this way of upholding its values to the very highest standard.