On 11 September 2026, DoctorateHub | GSBM hosted the Doctoral-Thinking Test Drive: Doctoral Education, Supervision & the Malta Hub at the Malta Life Sciences Park in San Gwann, Malta.
The workshop offered participants an opportunity to explore what doctoral-level thinking actually involves—and to experience elements of that approach through practical activities, rather than only hearing about doctoral study in the abstract.
The event brought together three connected themes: the structure of the doctoral journey, the role of a team-based approach to doctoral supervision, and the emerging opportunities associated with the DoctorateHub | GSBM Malta Hub.
From doctoral education to doctoral-level capability
The session began by introducing DoctorateHub’s approach to doctoral education and the logic behind its progression-based programme structure. Rather than presenting doctoral study as one undifferentiated journey towards a final thesis and viva, the presentation illustrated how doctoral education can be organised into meaningful stages, each with its own learning objectives, development and recognition.
The underlying research logic was presented through the progression:
Problem → Question → Design → Evidence → Analysis → Insight
This structure provided a starting point for discussing how research can move from an initial challenge towards a more rigorous understanding of what is happening, why it is happening, and what might need to change.
The discussion also challenged a common assumption about doctoral research: that the central task is simply to discover a single, elusive literature gap. Instead, participants were introduced to the idea that different types of knowledge gaps can be addressed through a structured process of inquiry.
From a lone supervisor to a supervision team
A second part of the workshop explored DoctorateHub’s team-based approach to doctoral supervision.
The presentation introduced six complementary roles:
- Cohort Chair — coordinating the overall doctoral journey.
- Subject Expert — contributing topic-specific and methodological expertise.
- Course Tutor — supporting structured progression through learning outcomes and milestones.
- Mentor — providing personalised research support.
- Club Coach — developing research independence and self-directed learning.
- Scientific Expert — contributing academic assessment and doctoral-level rigour.
The underlying proposition is that doctoral development can benefit from distributed responsibilities and complementary expertise, rather than relying exclusively on a single supervisor–candidate relationship.
The session also connected this model to the Doctoral Faculty Development Programme, highlighting that doctoral supervision is itself a capability that can be developed. The programme extends beyond an initial foundational course into more specialised training, co-supervision and practical development opportunities.
Test Drive 1: The Magic Triangle
The first practical exercise introduced the Magic Triangle: Problem Framing, Question Scoping and Matching Outcome Expectations.
Participants were asked to begin with a solution they would genuinely like to see implemented—for example, introducing AI supervision, implementing a four-day workweek, launching a mentoring programme or introducing microcredentials.
They then worked backwards:
- Identify a problem that might justify the proposed solution.
- Formulate the problem without mentioning the solution.
- Develop a research question to investigate the problem.
- Reflect on the relationship between the problem, the question and the expected outcome.
The exercise highlighted a recurring challenge in applied research: solutions and desired outcomes often exist before the research begins. This can lead researchers to frame a problem around achieving a preferred answer, rather than investigating what is actually broken, why it is happening, and what may need to change.
The “magic” of the triangle lies in the difficulty of keeping these three elements aligned as the inquiry develops.
Test Drive 2: From a simple question to a researchable question
The second exercise focused on Research Scoping & Design Operationalisation.
Participants worked through a process of:
- Identifying a challenge or research problem.
- Opening up the inquiry through several possible research questions.
- Selecting one question for further investigation.
- Identifying an action that could generate evidence.
- Anticipating possible findings.
- Returning to the original problem to assess what the expected findings would—and would not—address.
The exercise demonstrated how complexity can grow rapidly once a question is opened up. At the same time, it showed why a research project does not necessarily need to begin with a highly elaborate design.
The central message was that research design should emerge from the problem, the question and the knowledge required—not function as an isolated creative exercise. Clear focal points, precision and engagement with the state of the art can help turn an initial question into a researchable and actionable inquiry.
Looking towards the Malta Hub
The final formal section introduced the developing DoctorateHub | GSBM Malta Hub and the different ways participants may become involved as it develops.
The discussion considered possible opportunities for:
- Executives and professionals interested in developing doctoral-level thinking and applying more rigorous, evidence-informed approaches to complex workplace challenges.
- Doctoral candidates and graduates seeking research exchange, peer learning and continued development.
- Current and prospective doctoral faculty interested in supervision development, academic activities and research collaboration.
- Organisations and partners interested in executive development, research and innovation, workshops, masterclasses and associated collaboration.
The Malta Hub was presented as an emerging space for connecting doctoral education, professional practice, research development and collaboration.
Continuing the conversation
The workshop concluded with informal networking and an opportunity for participants to continue discussions with DoctorateHub representatives and other attendees.
More than an introduction to individual programmes, the Test Drive was intended to make the underlying approach visible: doctoral-level thinking can be developed, practised and applied—and doctoral education can be structured around that development.
