PhD Academics

Academic studies in the Gateway PhD program align with the research areas of the faculty supervisors. The research areas we are currently recruiting in are listed on the Admissions page. We also recommend that you review the profiles and publications of the current students and alumni of the program.

Post-graduate researchers in the Gateway PhD program have chosen to pursue their Doctor of Philosophy degree for a variety of reasons. Several current students are choosing careers in academia, others are seeking positions in management and leadership, and some prefer to consult in the library and information science field. 

Characteristics common to all Gateway PhD program post-graduate researchers include an intense curiosity and a high degree of self-motivation. While most have a wide range of professional interests, each is keenly attracted to a particular aspect of the information science field and come to the program with a desire to explore it in a novel way.

Because the Gateway PhD program is research focused, students have the flexibility of engaging in their research at a predominantly self-defined pace. Course work is not required in the program – access to courses provided by the SJSU School of Information is available for those who wish to pursue a more defined path in any areas relevant to their research. 

“My supervisors were absolutely fabulous. They pushed me to be more precise, more informed, and better able to defend my research and conclusions. They made me such a better scholar and communicator than I was at the beginning of the program.” – Dr. Diana Wakimoto

Formal supervision is provided through a team of supervisors from the School of Information and our partnering university. Selective admission ensures that new post-graduate researchers are integrated into the full research community within the Gateway PhD program.