Sociological theory and applied research

The doctorate has a legal duration of three years and concludes with the presentation and discussion of the thesis. The first year and a few weeks of the second year are dedicated to the acquisition of theoretical and methodological knowledge to support and integrate personal research work. The course therefore provides for attendance at training activities, carried out with highly participatory teaching methods, usually concentrated in two and a half days a week.

Spending a period of specialization abroad is considered an integral part of the course

The language of the doctorate is Italian, but some lectures and seminar activities are held in English, where it is also possible to write the final paper.

More specifically, the training course includes a teaching activity divided into three main areas: a) Sociological Theory - history of thought; theory and themes of contemporary sociology; b) Research experiences and thematic areas of in-depth study; c) Method and techniques of social research. Specific attention is also paid to the application of AI in the Academy through seminars aimed at deepening the ethical practices and use scenarios of these technologies.

In addition to this educational offer, there is a series of transversal activities prepared by the University for all doctoral courses, relating to the improvement of skills in the use of the English language in the scientific field, public speaking, the use of bibliographic research tools and ethical issues relating to the protection of privacy and the management of personal data. 

The main competencies and skills that are developed overall by the training program of the PhD in Sociology. Theory, research, applications, are:

• ability to read and analyze the main dynamics of contemporary social and cultural change;
• in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of sociological knowledge;
• in-depth knowledge of the most recent paradigms of sociology and organizational studies;
• mastery of the main methodologies and techniques of social research, both standard and non-standard, both consolidated and more innovative;
• skills related to the design, organization, coordination of research and dissemination of results;
• skills related to networking and fundraising of research, in academia and in public and private organizations;
• skills in the use of digital technologies and social media for research management;
• skills for the definition, reading and evaluation of social policies and social innovation processes.

During the first year, PhD students are asked to identify their main tutor (to be chosen from within the Doctoral Teaching Board) and a second tutor (to be chosen from outside the Doctoral Teaching Board).

In the second and third years, doctoral students are required to develop the research program individually, deepening the theoretical aspects and arranging access to the field for data collection.

Throughout the three-year period, PhD students are invited to participate in congresses, seminars, summer schools, discussions with similar research groups, also in other research institutions in Italy and abroad.