PhD Programme in Public Policy & Policy Analysis


Programme details

The PhD programme is a three-year programme that consists of four main elements:
•          a basic (compulsory) training programme of nine months provided in Maastricht by leading scholars from the partner institutes. The basic programme is compulsory for all researchers
•          a personal training programme that guarantees flexibility at an individual level in order to adapt to the skills and qualifications of the researcher and the specific research topic
•          an international visiting researcher position of 6-12 months, in collaboration with one of the partner institutes in the networks
•          personal supervision and monitoring during the entire project by staff members of the MGSoG and partner institutes

Year one is mainly used for coursework (basic course programme) and for working on the individual research proposals. The basic courses are offered in Maastricht, and are divided into two semesters. In semester one, the research fellows all follow courses in research methods and skills. In semester two we offer two specialisations: one specialisation in governance and policy analysis (GAPA) and one specialisation in social protection policy (SPP).  On average, 20 courses are offered that are set up in workshops, with lectures over four days. This set-up allows the lecturers from the various partner institutes to teach the topic of their expertise. In addition, four courses in the first semester are provided over a longer period of eight weeks, containing on average one lecture a week. The workload of the first nine months is divided into roughly 2/3 coursework and 1/3 research design.

The compulsory coursework of the PPPA programmes is mainly finished within year one and is the equivalent of 44 ECTS credits. At the end of the first 9 months, the fellows present a research proposal and a detailed research plan for the remaining part of their fellowship. In defining their research topic, the fellows are guided by the proposals of the partners and the associated partners of the research network. Years two and three are dedicated to the necessary analyses for the dissertation, and for writing the dissertation. The dissertation should be ready for submission after 36 months.

In addition, the following activities are organised for the fellows:
•          research tutorials
•          research seminars
•          research skills training
•          research conferences
•          summer school every other year
•          research dissemination and policy seminars
•          academic skills and research career workshops
•          writing camps

The programme start in september 2009. You can apply for the programme as of 1 June 2008.

Programme overview

Special feature “writing camps”
Once a year, the programme organises the so-called “writing camp” bringing together 2nd and 3rd year research fellows of the School to work on their research in a secluded and inspiring location. During these camps PhD fellows work on their research in a social setting allowing them to benefit from lively discussions with their peers and with experienced visiting scholars. The “camps” invite the fellows into a research oriented environment providing academic and social support.
 
Faculty of the programme
Prof. dr. Chris de Neubourg, MGSoG, the Netherlands
Prof. dr. Gøsta Esping-Andersen, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
Prof. dr. Karl Hinrichs, Centre for Social Policy Research, University of Bremen, Germany
Prof. dr. Bea Cantillon, Centrum voor Sociaal Beleid, Antwerp, Belgium
Dr. Pawel Kaczmarczyk, Centre of Migration Research, Warsaw University, Poland
Prof. dr. Pierre Pestieau, University of Liege, Belgium
Prof. dr. Elsa Fornero, CeRP, University of Turin, Italy
Prof. dr. Pierre Dubois, University of Toulouse, France
Prof. dr. Theo Papadopoulos, University of Bath, United Kingdom
Prof. dr. Cathal O' Donoghue, Teagasc Rural Economy Research Centre, Carlow, Ireland
Dr. Michael Samson, Economic Policy Research Institute, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa
 

Degree