As a candidate in the interdisciplinary wind energy (wind energy science, engineering, and policy) Ph.D. program, I would like to address the recent editorial “Windy Ph.D. spins around specialization.” Completion of the Ph.D. (as in any graduate program) requires both coursework and research (more on the possible range of research in a moment). Candidates will advance understanding and ideally achieve practical improvements in connection with wind energy, but will also know how wind power fits into a larger perspective, spanning at least two of five research thrusts, each with its own elective courses. 

For some candidates in the wind energy program, this broader context encompasses the coordination between all types of power generation, transmission and demand for electric power.

Why specialize? Someone who never pursues any specialization may find fewer opportunities. 

General Electric, which has a presence in various forms of electric power production including wind, used to have its executives rotate through assignments in order to become generalists. 

The company now seeks executives with deep understanding of specific technical areas so it can realize product breakthroughs before its competitors do. Anders Wold was quoted in The Wall Street Journal saying: “If you don’t have that domain understanding, you will develop products that will be average and not very successful.”

Given the backgrounds of each of the wind energy science, engineering and policy candidates, I can honestly say we will by no means have interchangeable expertise, skills or career paths following our research. 

If you want an idea of how many different aspects of wind energy there are, search for “wind energy” on Google Scholar, which indexes academic and professional publications. I came up with 2.4 million results. 

Does it seem like an area that is “whistling in the wind” to you?