UDIT participates in the XIII Conference of Directors of Doctoral Schools, reinforcing its commitment to excellence and ethics in research
More than seventy universities met in Palma de Mallorca to discuss the challenges of the doctorate and the impact of artificial intelligence on research and academic training.
The University of Design, Innovation and Technology (UDIT) participated in the 13th Conference of Directors of Doctoral Schools (CDED), held at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) on 23 and 24 October 2025. The meeting brought together more than 200 attendees representing more than 70 doctoral schools from all over Spain.
This annual forum is the main forum for debate and exchange of best practices in the management, evaluation and projection of doctoral training at national level.
The plenary sessions and thematic tables addressed issues of great importance for the future of research, including scientific integrity and ethical practices, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on academic production, dissemination and transfer of knowledge, as well as the harmonisation of criteria for Cum Laude distinctions and Extraordinary Doctoral Awards.
Among the panelists, Dr. Susana Quicios Molina, director of the Faculty Evaluation Division of the National Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation (ANECA), who delved into the challenges related to scientific integrity of the teaching staff.
Likewise, Dr. José Antonio Gámez Martín, Professor of Computer Languages and Systems at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) analysed the challenges of artificial intelligence in doctoral direction and guidance.
The need to evolve from the "publish or perish" paradigm towards a model focused on the quality, originality and social impact of research was highlighted, as well as the need to make the use of AI tools in scientific creation processes transparent.
For UDIT, participation in this meeting is of special significance as it is in the consolidation phase of its first Doctoral Programme in Design and Technology Applied to Business, developed jointly with the European University of the Atlantic (UNEATLÁNTICO).
It also strengthens links with directors and technical managers of other institutions, as well as making progress in the steps necessary for its formal incorporation as a member of the organisation of the Congress of Directors of Doctoral Schools.
On the other hand, among the most outstanding initiatives, the scientific dissemination strategies promoted by the UIB's Knowledge Transfer Office were presented, such as the "European Researchers' Night" or the Hilotesis-type dissemination competitions, examples of how to bring science closer to non-specialised audiences through innovative and accessible formats. The value of international networks such as COARA and DORA, which promote ethical and transparent models of research evaluation, was also highlighted.
Finally, Blanca Méndez, administrative technician of the Doctoral School of UDIT and representative at the meeting, highlighted:
"One of the most important aspects to highlight has been the great challenge in the face of the speed with which new technological tools emerge. The challenge is not to reject them, but to know how to guide them with ethical and formative criteria, accompanying our doctoral students in the responsible use of these resources for the generation of genuine and socially useful knowledge".
