Editorial

T he editors of this special issue are two, but there are objectively three! The third is our colleague Saeed Paivandi (University of Lorraine). Our discussions on doctoral studies in Europe have emerged from an analysis of the dominant trends and the radical changes they are bringing about both in the higher education system in general and in the way doctoral studies are viewed and treated in particular, studies that are at the crossroads of the learning process and research activity. At the same time, however, it is also a time of preparation for future academics. Our discussions highlighted the multiplicity of the issue and the question arose as to whether we should focus on a general mapping of doctoral studies or on a single axis, such as the preparation of future academics. In the end, at this stage, we chose the former.