The consolidation of the Faculty s research efforts within the three areas is not intended to ensure conformity in research activity, but rather to provide a framework within which future research investments would be directed. An important component of the Faculty Research Plan is to enhance and maintain faculty research activity. A number of developmental steps have already been taken to strengthen the research enterprise within the Faculty. These activities will continue with, at least, one research support workshop each term that will address a particular research development need identified by faculty. The third component of the Faculty Research Plan is directed to the development of research capacity.
Doctoral students are essential for the development of strong faculty research programs.
The Faculty does offer a variety of Master s programs, many with a thesis component which may be used to support the research interests and activities of faculty, however the impact that such students may impart is limited by the nature of the degree program. The Faculty does not have, and clearly would benefit from, offering its own PhD program. This will take some time to establish and in the interim it is imperative that the Faculty explore ways in which the Interdisciplinary PhD or other appropriate Dalhousie PhD program may be employed to enhance the Faculty s cadre of doctoral students. Doctoral students would then be assisted to secure other doctoral awards. The requirement for such support would be that the student be supervised by a FHP faculty member and at least one other member of the thesis committee be a FHP member.