Global Studies. Economy, Society and Law
PHD

The Ph.D. Programme in Global Studies aims to provide interpretive tools and methods for the in-depth analysis and understanding of different aspects and mechanisms of globalization processes. A stimulating learning environment will be offered to train qualified experts who can competently carry out research activities and/or assume responsibilities in various institutions (private/public/academic, national and international) dealing with challenges of internationalization and more generally with global issues and processes such as:

the intensification of migratory flows, pandemics and health emergencies, the international fragmentation of production, the increasing professionalization of social work, welfare policy reforms, transformations induced by climate and environmental changes, digital transition and the development of new technologies, geopolitical imbalances and financial markets.

The doctoral Programme aims to provide the tools to examine these changes and their interactions with transformations in economic, social and institutional systems, at the level of individuals, businesses, institutions and public administrations.

English will be the working language throughout the entire programme, developed over three years. Training and research will take place at the University of Urbino and, for periods ranging from six to twelve months, at high quality international academic institutions. Co-tutelle agreements can be signed with other institutions to undertake research periods abroad for periods longer than one year. 

The first year will be dedicated to courses, data-labs, workshops and other teaching and research activities in Urbino, in the context of this Renaissance city, part of the part of UNESCO World Heritage. 

We envisage this initial year as fully residential in Urbino with the aim to favour interactive learning and face-to-face activities involving students and lecturers from different parts of the world.

Courses with exams will start by the end of October 2024 and will be structured into four teaching modules organized over two-month periods: six weeks of teaching, one week fully dedicated to individual study, one week of exams (written tests and/or papers). An additional exam session will be offered in September 2025.

Data Labs will provide opportunities for hands-on work on databases and for the application of empirical research methods.

Seminars with no final examinations will be delivered to address specific and cutting-edge research issues. Workshops will be also organised to enhance Ph.D. student’s skills in English for academic purposes, informatics, research methods and valorisation of the research. See "Course Structure" section for an illustrative list of topics discussed in seminars, workshops and mini-courses during the first year of this Ph.D. Programme.

By the end of the year, Ph.D. students will identify their supervisors, will define structure and contents of their research project, and they will initiate the dissertation work.

Admission to the second year depends on students’ achievement of a satisfactory score at final exams in each teaching module and on attendance of the different activities.

SECOND YEAR

The second year of the Ph.D. Programme will include:

• further development of research project,  and major steps ahead in the preparation of the Ph.D. thesis;
• from six to twelve months of research abroad at international Universities and/or Institutions, to be agreed upon with the supervisor and the Ph.D. Director. Cotutelle agreements can be arranged making it possible to spend longer periods abroad;
• attendance of at least one of the courses with final evaluation offered as part of the second thematic area addressed in the next edition of the Ph.D.programme: International economic policy, Business and Governance;alternatively, students may choose activities offered by other Ph.D. programmes or agree with their supervisor and Ph.D. coordinator for a Substitutive Learning activity of equivalent relevance.
• presentation of the advancement of research projects and of dissertation work at Ph.D. Seminar sessions to be held  in Urbino
• attendance of advanced courses, seminars and workshops, summer and winter schools in Italy and abroad, agreed upon with the supervisor.

THIRD YEAR

The third year will be devoted to the following activities, both in Urbino and in international universities:

●        completion of the Ph.D. thesis;

●        presentation of the advancement of research projects and of dissertation work at Ph.D. Seminar sessions to be held in Urbino

●        participation to selected courses and conferences relevant for the Ph.D. topic, agreed upon with the supervisor;

●        presentation of papers at international workshops and writing or publicationof research works.

A substantial part of the teaching and research activities offered by the Ph.D. in Global Studies will take place at the University of Urbino, especially during the first year of the Programme, when courses with final exams, seminars and workshops will take place. Also during the second and third years, when long research visits at other international institutions are envisaged, periodic meetings will be organised at Urbino University to allow the presentation of intermediate research outcomes, and favour face-to-face exchanges with scholars and other students.

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In the edition starting in the academic year 2024-2025  the thematic area Global Society, Cross-border Mobility and Law will be addressed. While a large part of teaching activities are mandatory for all to provide a common ground for training and research, students will be asked to choose one of the two sub-areas of study offered by the programme (legal or sociological perspectives) and undertake the activities characterizing those sub-areas starting from term 3. Teaching activities will follow the provisional calendar below:

FIRST YEAR

First semester

- First Teaching Module:

Principles of European Public Law and Legal Research, Principles of Sociology, European Law and Institutions, English for Academic Purposes.

- Second Teaching Module:

Historical Perspectives on Globalisation and Legal Systems, Globalization and Legal Systems, Datalab (Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis), Globalisation: Concepts, History, Perspectives

- Weekly seminars

- Ph.D. Students’ project presentations

Second semester

- Third Teaching Module:

Institutions of Welfare and Comparative Welfare Studies, Global Health, Rights of Migrants in a Global Perspective, Legal Techniques of European Integration, Global trends in migration

- Fourth Teaching Module:

International Crime Law, International Trade Law (Financial Markets, Innovation, IPRs and Technology Law), Global Social Issues (Disability and Society; Gender Issues in a Global Context), Global Value Chains and Labour

- Weekly seminars.

 SECOND AND THIRD YEAR

- One course with final evaluation, to be chosen amongst those offered in the XLI  cycle (A.A. 2025-2026)

- Development of research project, preparation of the Ph.D. thesis, with the supervision of distinguished scholars and experts at the University of Urbino and at other international institutions

- Presentation of research project and advancement of dissertation work at the Ph.D. seminar sessions held in Urbino

- Research period(s) at European and foreign Universities and institutions (minimum 6 months, maximum 18 months)

- Attendance of seminars, workshops, advanced courses, summer and winter schools in Italy and abroad related to the topic of the research project

The Ph.D. in Global Studies allows participants to develop a wide variety of skills and competences useful for an international career in research/teaching or in the private/public sector: strong analytical skills, ability in collaborative work, effective oral and written communication skills, deep cross-cultural competences, wide knowledge of the global socio-institutional context.

Notably, PhD graduates will be well placed to apply for the following professional opportunities:

- academic positions/careers in University Departments/ Research Centres active in Global Studies and in the main related disciplines;

- positions/careers as managers/analysts in:

• International governmental organizations and NGOs active in the economic-social sphere
• National and local bodies/organizations working to support the internationalization of SMEs and social enterprises
• Businesses and professional companies (consulting firms, law firms) active in international projects.