All courses, seminars and transferrable skills training included in the PhD programme.
During the first year, all doctoral students take a common set of core course units, which provide a general grounding in a range of subjects, fostering the development of an interdisciplinary perspective on the topics typically covered in political and social sciences. In addition, they choose course units from two of the three multidisciplinary strands - Comparative Politics, International Relations and Sociology.
The second year is dedicated to the development of soft skills, with modules on ethics and safety in field research, as well as academic seminars on writing, publishing and professional development, which help prepare students for their future careers.
Throughout the programme, doctoral students receive financial support and have the opportunity to enhance their skills by participating in national and international summer and winter schools, workshops and seminars.
While several core courses remain consistent to ensure continuity and foundational training, the courses offered may vary over time. Each year, the programme may be enriched with new modules, guest lectures and seminars reflecting emerging research trends, faculty expertise and current global challenges, ensuring that the training remains dynamic, relevant and responsive to the evolving landscape of the political and social sciences.
Transferrable skills programmes offer the opportunity to broaden one’s skills beyond the disciplinary field, providing valuable resources to effectively tackle academic and professional challenges. The courses focus on developing communication, organisational and management skills, enhancing research capabilities, and preparing candidates for a strong and flexible career path.
For more information on courses and enrolment, see the website on transferrable skills for PhD programmes.
The University of Bologna has introduced a policy to promote the ethical and responsible use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in academic activities, ensuring its integration aligns with academic standards of quality, ethics and integrity.
For further details, visit the dedicated page on the University of Bologna website.
The University is organising a series of seminars on generative artificial intelligence, exploring its technological, practical and ethical aspects for responsible and sustainable innovation. The initiative involves the entire university community, offering insights and resources to address the challenges posed by future technologies. Check the dedicated page on the University website to see the schedule of meetings and register.