Description
The PhD Course in Political Science is a three-year post-graduate programme offered by the Department of Political Science at the University of Pisa. The University of Pisa, established in 1343, is one of the oldest and most leading universities in Italy, having a longstanding tradition of excellence in higher education and research. The Department of Political Science stands out for its strong interdisciplinary orientation and includes scholars in the fields of social, political, and international sciences, which are directly involved in the activities of the PhD programme.
The PhD Programme is grounded in the awareness of the multidimensional and complex nature of the contemporary. Its understanding, analysis, and interpretation of the present time can only be carried out through a multiplicity of social, historical, political, institutional, and geopolitical criteria, so that the intersection between the various cultural levels and strategies serves as a valuable tool not only for the intellectual inquiry, but also to develop scientific frameworks and instruments aimed at addressing tensions, conflicts, contradictions, differing perspectives, and interests. To this end, the active involvement of scholars of the various disciplines is actively encouraged, to define both new objectives and innovative research methods which are suitable for explaining the phenomena and characteristics of contemporary complexity, such as the new forms of social relations and communication, the transformation of global political culture, the dialectic between the local and the global, the new dynamics of internationalization.
The vocation for interdisciplinarity, multidisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity are essential features of the PhD Programme’s educational activities, as it is the methodological training (both theoretical and empirical), which is considered fundamental to research training, and which goes hand in hand with innovation and usefulness in relation to the research projects of PhD students.
The PhD Programme is characterised by a range of homogeneous and articulated disciplines within the macro-sectors of Political and Social Sciences (the Italian Area 14), Economic and Statistical Sciences (Area 13), and Historical, Philosophical, Pedagogical and Psychological Sciences (Area 11).
Specific Objectives and Career Opportunities
The PhD Course in Political Science aims at providing the necessary skills to carry out research and high-level qualifications activities at public and private research institutions, in the fields of historical, political, and social sciences.
The PhD Programme has the objective to train analysts characterized by a multidisciplinary background: providing them with a deep understanding of the systemic implications of their specific field of study, and enabling them to competently interact with administrations, international entities and organizations, civil society, and businesses.
The PhD students in Political Science have the necessary knowledge not only to pursue research in the public and private sectors, but also to enter the management and governance entities of international, national, and local institutions, companies, non-governmental organizations, and non-profit associations.
Transversal Educational Objectives
The PhD Programme in Political Science combines the achievement of its specific objectives with multiple transversal educational objectives, including an in-depth study of the research design phases, the knowledge of research methodologies and data collection in various disciplinary fields, the training in scientific writing, the dissemination and communication of results (with specific reference to the preparation of essays and papers in foreign languages), the interdisciplinary education, and the knowledge of digital tools to support research project management.
To this end, the articulation and recurring integration of teaching activities is linked both to the expected (specific and transversal) outcomes, and the development of the cultural and professional profiles, also towards the Course’s stakeholders.