Global Studies. Economy, Society and Law
Dottorato di Ricerca

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 fragmentation of international production, the intensification of migration flows, the digital transition and the development of new technologies, the transformations induced by climate and environmental changes. The doctoral course 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.

The programme is developed over three years:

●        a first year of courses and exams in Urbino, definition of the research project and start of dissertation work;

●        a second year of international research and training, mainly spent at foreign universities and institutions, in connection with the Ph.D. Programme;

●        a third year of research activity to complete the Ph.D. thesis and initiate publications of research results.

English will be the working language throughout the entire programme, developed over three years.

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 face-to-face activities involving students and lecturers from different parts of the world.

All activities will be undertaken complying with safety regulations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Urbino University is also fully equipped to offer online lectures, workshops and seminars in case it were necessary or useful. 

Introductory and background courses will be offered online in September and October, in order to fill gaps in students’ competences in English for Academic Purposes, Law, Social Sciences, Research Methods, Economics and Business,     .

Courses with exams will be structured into 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 2023     .

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

Seminars will be organized to address specific research topics, to enhance PhD student’s skills in English, informatics, research methods and  valorization of the research. 

By the end of the year, PhD students will identify their supervisors,  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;

- at least six months of research abroad at international Universities and/or Institutions, to be agreed upon with the supervisor and the Ph.D. Director;

- attendance of at least one of the courses with final evaluation offered as part of the second thematic area addressed in the subsequent (2023/24) edition of the PhD programme: International economic policy, Business and Governance;

- 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 andor publication of of research works.

Please note: A substantial part of the teaching and research activities offered by the PhD 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. Although the highest priority will be given to in-person attendance of all courses, seminars and meetings, online participation will be made possible when strictly necessary or in case of events that are open to a wider audience. All meetings and classes held in person will take place in compliance with the safety measures necessary to prevent the diffusion of Covid-19. 

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In the edition starting in the academic year 2022-2023, the thematic area Global Society, Cross-border Mobility and Law will be addressed following the provisional calendar below:

FIRST YEAR

Introductory and background courses (held online): English for Academic Purposes; Foundations of Sociology; Principles of Public Law and Legal Research; Economics, Business & Administration; Introduction to Political Science.

First semester

- First Teaching Module:

European Institutions and Law; Institutions of Welfare and Comparative Welfare Studies;  Methods in social research; Legal Techniques of European Integration.    

- Second Teaching Module:

Globalization: concepts, history, perspectives; Tools for social research – Part 1: statistical packages for social sciences; Data lab on Tools for social research – Part 2: CAQDAS; Globalisation and Legal Systems.               

-      Weekly seminars

Second semester

- Third Teaching Module:

Global social problems; Topics in Sociology of globalisation 1: Social disparities and social policies; Global value chains and labour; Topics in Legal Studies of Globalisation 1: integration and regulation of international markets; International trade law: innovation and IPRs.

- Fourth Teaching Module:

Gender issues in a global context; Global inequalities; International trade law: innovation and IPRs; Topics in Sociology of globalisation 2: migrations, internationalisation and labor markets; Topics in Legal Studies of Globalisation 2: regulating international migrations, rights and crime

-      Weekly seminars.

SECOND AND THIRD YEAR

- One course with final evaluation, to be chosen amongst those offered in the XXXIX      cycle (A.A. 2023-2024)

- 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 PhD 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, Ph.D. 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
• Local, national and transnational organizations and agencies supporting the internationalization processes of SMEs and social companies
• Business enterprises and professional firms (consulting/legal sector) active in international projects