The PhD

Coordinator: Liana Maria DAHER

Contacts

PhD Office
Palazzo Sangiuliano
Piazza Università, 16 (1st floor)
95131 - Catania
Phone: +39 095 7307 261 / 212 / 263 / 257
dottorati@unict.it

Book an Online Appointment

Office Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM

Course Overview and Educational Aims

The training programme of the PhD in Educational Processes, Theoretical-Transformative Models and Research Method Applied to the Territory stands out for its strong interdisciplinary character, which is its greatest strength. While it is perfectly consistent with the master’s degree programmes offered by the Department (Psychology and Pedagogical Sciences and Educational Design), it also serves as an attractive opportunity for graduates – primarily from the humanities – who come from other degree programmes and universities, both national and international.

A central feature of the programme is the focus on epistemological, theoretical and methodological training across the fields of the humanities (history–archaeology–philosophy), educational processes (pedagogy), psychology, and the social sciences (sociology–geography–economics–law).

This interdisciplinarity is reflected in a curriculum designed to provide approaches and applied research methodologies in these fields, offering students both theoretical and practical preparation that takes into account the circular relationship between epistemology, theory and methods within the human and social sciences.

• Epistemological, theoretical and methodological aspects related to the humanities;
• The development and implementation of models and research addressing innovation within the disciplinary areas of the doctoral programme;
• The analysis of educational, psychological and social processes in multicultural contexts;
• The development and implementation of models and practices aimed at reducing and counteracting educational poverty and psychosocial distress, as well as experimenting with new practices of social inclusion (migration, new forms of addiction, revitalization of work and living environments);
• The analysis of new forms and practices of citizenship connected to identity processes and participatory local development;
• The observation and study of green practices within the humanities, educational and psychological processes, and the broader social reality;
• Cultural and environmental heritage and the sustainable development of the territory;
• The analysis and promotion of the cultural and socioeconomic aspects and the tourism potential of the region.

The training project of the doctoral programme offers young academics a wide range of opportunities to explore the dynamics connected to contemporary and innovative social issues. It allows for diversified areas of analysis related to the above-mentioned dimensions and their interconnected sectors. The study of social phenomena and issues from different – yet often interconnected – disciplinary perspectives enables doctoral candidates to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the areas covered, both in relation to their specific research projects and within the broader framework of the programme’s objectives and educational activities.

Course Objectives

The doctoral programme aims to build skills and competencies in both speculative and applied research within the fields of the humanities (history–archaeology–philosophy), educational processes (pedagogy), psychology, and the social sciences (sociology–geography–economics–law). The programme seeks to provide training in theoretical approaches as well as in empirical methodologies and techniques relevant to the various disciplinary fields, while also fostering cross-disciplinary skills for developing and refining research paths. These research paths are oriented towards the analysis and implementation of dynamic processes of education related to inclusive and sustainable human and environmental development. The programme also aims to design and test innovative interpretative and operational models in the fields of humanities, pedagogy, psychology and social sciences, in the broadest sense, as well as to identify and propose, when appropriate, social practices that could serve as best practices in specific contexts or, more generally, within educational and social policy frameworks.

A collateral goal of the doctoral programme in Educational Processes, Theoretical-Transformative Models and Research Method Applied to the Territory is to guide young researchers to undertake – in parallel and in interaction – both hetero-directed and self-directed educational paths. In this perspective, the student is considered the primary agent of their professional training, responsible for acquiring competencies and completing the research project through the presentation of the doctoral dissertation, with the ultimate aim of shaping an autonomous and well-defined professional identity. Tutoring will be oriented towards this objective, and the teaching activities provided will be designed to support doctoral candidates in building a confident professional identity.

The interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary nature of the teaching is aimed at achieving the primary goal of the programme: to prepare researchers for the labour market in the fields of human, social and territorial sciences. For this reason, the programme includes an integrated course on Introduction to Empirical Research Methods in the Humanities, consisting of multiple modules designed to provide multi- and interdisciplinary training in research methods and techniques. In addition, courses in English and Information Technology are offered.

The training offer is further enriched by a wide range of conferences, seminars and study days within the doctoral research areas, aimed at introducing young researchers to the thematic and methodological areas which they will engage with during their academic journey. Finally, students are encouraged to spend a research period abroad (at least six months), with the aim of undertaking comparative studies and fostering opportunities for in-depth scientific study and discussions at European and international levels.

Job Opportunities

The employment and professional objectives of the PhD programme in Educational Processes, Theoretical-Transformative Models and Research Method Applied to the Territory are aimed at acquiring knowledge and skills, including interpersonal ones, that will enable graduates to find appropriate positions in public and private research institutes, training organizations, and public administration, particularly in the fields of education, health, sustainable development and tourism.

Technological innovation, increasingly less constrained by “local” boundaries, requires constant updating and competent responses to the demand for labour emerging from diversified contexts. There is a noticeable shortage of highly specialized professional figures, distinguished not only by their strictly scientific expertise but also by their ability to conceive innovation as an opportunity for education and personal development across various contexts.

Appropriate methodologies and effective practices would make it possible in different sectors – ranging from purely scientific to professional and operational fields – to respond with renewed competence and professional profiles to specific and current demands arising from specialized work environments.

Activities to connect the doctoral programme with the world of work and research will be promoted, in order to enhance the experiences acquired by the PhD students for their potential integration into advanced sectors and in direct relation to the identified professional roles. During the final year of the programme, meetings will be organized to provide a more in-depth and targeted understanding of the network of employment opportunities available, both at the national level and within the European and international context.