Academic Training
The PhD Programme in Political Science combines advanced academic training, independent research, and dissertation work within an integrated three-year framework. Training activities support the progressive development of doctoral research, providing students with the theoretical, methodological, and analytical tools required to conduct original research and engage with contemporary debates in the social sciences.
The programme combines core training activities, which provide a common foundation in research design, methods, and disciplinary knowledge, with elective opportunities that allow students to develop expertise in areas directly related to their research interests. Through the Individual Training Plan, developed in consultation with the supervisor, each student can tailor the programme to the specific needs of their research by combining coursework, research activities, participation in academic networks, and mobility opportunities.
| Programme Stage | Main Focus |
|---|---|
| First Year | Development of the research project, refinement of the theoretical framework, and acquisition of advanced methodological skills. |
| Second Year | Research implementation, collection and analysis of empirical materials, and active engagement with the academic community through seminars, workshops, and conferences. |
| Third Year | Completion of the dissertation, discussion of research findings, and dissemination of research outputs through publications, conferences, and other scholarly activities. |
Active participation in the research community is an essential component of doctoral education. Students are expected to contribute to seminars, present and discuss their work, and engage in scholarly exchange with faculty members, visiting scholars, and fellow researchers.
Structure of the Training Programme
Training activities span the three years of the programme and include coursework, transferable skills modules, interdisciplinary seminars, and research progress seminars. The balance between these activities evolves over time, reflecting the different stages of doctoral study and the progressive development of individual research trajectories.
| Programme Stage | Main Activities | Minimum Training Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | Advanced theoretical seminars, research methods courses, research design workshops, and transferable skills modules | 100 hours |
| Second Year | Interdisciplinary research seminars, transferable skills modules, and research progress seminars | 60 hours |
| Third Year | Research progress seminars, transferable skills modules, and research dissemination activities | 40 hours |
Although most structured coursework is concentrated in the first year, all curricular activities remain available throughout the programme. The hours indicated above constitute the minimum annual training requirement. Students are also encouraged to broaden their academic experience through participation in conferences, workshops, summer schools, and other scholarly initiatives in Italy and abroad that are relevant to their research interests.
View the Training Programme Guidelines
Internationalisation and Research Networks
International engagement is a defining feature of the PhD Programme. Students benefit from regular interaction with the international scholarly community through courses and seminars delivered in English, contributions from visiting scholars, collaborations with researchers from other universities and research centres, and participation in national and international research networks. Scholarship holders undertake a period of research abroad as an integral part of their doctoral training. This experience supports the development of dissertation research while fostering integration into international academic environments. The programme also encourages co-supervision arrangements and collaborative research activities with scholars affiliated with institutions in Italy and abroad, and supports participation in conferences, workshops, and summer schools aligned with students’ research interests.
Quality Assurance and Enhancement
The programme is committed to the continuous enhancement of its academic and research activities. Student feedback plays a central role in this process and is gathered through surveys, consultations, and regular opportunities for discussion and exchange. Comments, suggestions, and emerging training needs contribute to the ongoing development of the programme and help shape future activities and initiatives. Students are encouraged to share feedback, proposals, and concerns with the PhD Coordinator, their student representatives, or the PhD Quality Assurance Committee.