Examining PhD modes in the Australian landscape architecture academy

Abstract Australia’s accredited landscape architecture programs shifted from few faculty members holding a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) to where holding this qualification is now essential. For conferral, the Australian Qualifications Framework mandates the PhD qualification demonstrate ‘a significant and original contribution to knowledge’. Examining snapshot periods of 2009 and 2019, we identify, evaluate and discuss the number and distribution of academics obtaining this qualification in accredited Australian landscape architecture university programs. We suggest there are five primary PhD modes of research, by: Dissertation, Publication, Dissertation with Embedded Design Experiment/Creative Inquiry, Creative Practice, and Reflection. Findings demonstrate a 268% growth in employed academics holding a PhD qualification, a dominant yet declining trend for the mode PhD by Dissertation and increasing conferral of modes containing design research components. Our work concludes by discussing the five PhD modes to contribute to the profession's pedagogical approaches.