Political Studies

The inter-university PhD programme in Political Studies (POLS) coherently integrates both empirical and theoretical approaches to political science, combining empirical-analytical research with theoretical and normative inquiry. The programme aims to provide doctoral candidates, on the one hand, with a shared methodological "toolkit" and a broad intellectual foundation common to the various fields of study and research, and, on the other hand, with solid specialist training through five main research areas. These areas are designed to interact with on another, thereby fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and enabling innovative training paths at the intersection of disciplines that do not traditionally engage closely with one another:

a) Comparative Political Institutions and European Union Politics;

b) Public Policy and Welfare State;

c) Public Opinion, Political Communication, and Political Behaviour;

d) International Studies;

e) Political and Legal Philosophy, Normative Political Theory, and Applied Ethics.

In order to promote the internationalisation of the programme, English serves as the language of instruction for all courses and academic activities.

The POLS PhD programme seeks not only to train young scholars capable of competing in the international academic arena, but also to prepare highly qualified professionals able to undertake research, consultancy, coordination, and management roles in private research centres, think tanks, and political and economic organisations, both public and private, at the regional, national, and international levels.