Science of Professions, Focusing on Language, Relationships and Actions

The course emphasises professional studies as a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary field, with the aim of developing knowledge in, about and for professional practice. The course introduces the special characteristics and knowledge platform associated with professions in order to understand, explain, predict, sometimes control and develop theory about phenomena of relevance to professions and society.

Various different understandings of the term profession prevail and it is not always clear what makes something a profession. Nevertheless, the common denominator between professions is that they are specific types of occupations in which expertise is used to perform socially beneficial services. One of the key aspects of professions is that they require authorisation through specific higher education, while professionals also acquire knowledge and skills through supervised professional training.

The complexity of the tasks implies that autonomy and judgement are essential aspects of professional practice. The characteristic aspect of professions is that they are based on a mixture of theoretical insight from various sciences, practical skills, familiarity with specific situations and the fact that practice is shaped by language, relationships and actions. Societal, political and organisational changes constantly result in new requirements and expectations for professional practitioners.

The development of the candidates’ reflection on the relationship between contextual conditions and professional practice is a key aspect of the course. The focus is on the parts of professional studies related to language, relationships and actions when knowledge is developed in, about and for professions. Professions have their own professional languages that distinguish them from other professions, human relationships are key to all professions and actions are part of all professional practice. Language, relationships and actions linked to professions can be understood and studied at many different levels and venues, theoretically and empirically, as well as from different perspectives and approaches.

Dialogue is facilitated between the candidate’s own professional practice and understanding and theoretical approaches so that participants can acquire the tools for their own PhD work through the course.