UniCa PhD in Social Research and Innovation Program Presentation

Presentation

THE PHD PROGRAM IS AWAITING INITIAL ACCREDITATION.

Once accreditation is obtained, it will be active for the XXXIX cycle, starting from the academic year 2023/2024.

The PhD in Research and Social Innovation (R.I.S) offers, with a focus on the Mediterranean dimension, a third-level education in the field of political and social sciences.

R.I.S aims to train researchers and high-level professionals in the field of social, cultural, and institutional innovation, with particular attention to local/territorial development, social integration and cohesion, sustainable development, and the cultural and communicative processes related to institutional innovation.

It is conceived as a multidisciplinary and innovative path in terms of content and methods. The educational project in social sciences is based on a broad spectrum of sociological and political science disciplines, supplemented by Geography, Statistics, Demo-Ethno-Anthropology, Psychology, and Law.

This breadth of perspectives, knowledge, and approaches converges in a solid theoretical and methodological preparation, both quantitative and qualitative, capable of understanding and questioning the processes and challenges of contemporary society.

Social innovation is a design paradigm capable of addressing the emerging needs of communities, to develop models of innovation that intertwine the personal/individual dimension with the political/collective one, tacit and codified knowledge, grassroots activation and participation with the contribution of expert knowledge.

In this regard, R.I.S trains scholars of social and institutional processes, experts in public policies, capable of analyzing the potential of territories through the enhancement of community potential in terms of cohesion, innovation, and social inclusion, deepening the dynamics of innovation production in contemporary society, as well as the actors, processes, and conditions in which it spreads and stabilizes in situations of normalcy and crisis.

The Ph.D. program is part of an international network of relationships that will allow for stays abroad in qualified institutions. Furthermore, the presence of scholars affiliated with national and international institutions in the R.I.S. educational offer will enable part of the training activities to be conducted in foreign languages.

The R.I.S. program is designed to foster advanced knowledge in the realm of social and cultural innovation. The primary objective of this PhD program is to train expert researchers and analysts who are capable of scientifically addressing the social, cultural, economic, financial, environmental, political, and technological challenges faced by contemporary societies.

To achieve this goal, the research doctorate in R.I.S. provides comprehensive theoretical knowledge and methodological skills in various fields, including social sciences, statistics, politics, anthropology, psychology, and law. The courses and seminars offered aim to develop the following skills:

  • Understanding the epistemological and theoretical foundations of the social sciences;
  • Conducting statistical analysis of data;
  • Applying qualitative methodologies in social research;
  • Utilizing quantitative methodologies in the social sciences;
  • Employing graphic and spatial representation techniques for depicting social phenomena.

The multidisciplinary approach of R.I.S. encompasses specific training contributions that are developed from a multidisciplinary perspective. These contributions cover a range of topics, including:

  • social, organizational, and technological innovation;
  • innovation processes and practices in public administration;
  • government policies, systems, and governance;
  • educational, cultural, and communication policies;
  • labor policies and practices;
  • citizenship, inequalities, and cultural diversity;
  • inclusion and diversity related to gender, generations, classes, and ethnicity;
  • environmental issues, distributive justice, and fundamental rights;
  • mobility and immigration processes;
  • data analysis for studying social and political phenomena;
  • development, territories, and environmental sustainability;
  • risk analysis and management.

The PhD program in R.I.S. also focuses on developing specific skills in analyzing, planning, and evaluating innovation in cultural, economic, social, and institutional domains. This enables graduates to critically examine and address the diverse challenges of contemporary society, with a particular emphasis on promoting inclusion and reducing inequalities related to social class and gender.

These skills are applicable to both theoretical and experimental research activities, aimed at expanding and innovating scientific knowledge of social processes and their applications, as well as to the analysis, planning, and evaluation of policies and interventions in the public and social spheres. Furthermore, the program aims to develop critical assessment skills of institutional and legislative frameworks at various levels (local, national, supranational, and international) concerning environmental risks and their ethical dimensions, including identifying gaps and conflicts within these frameworks.

The knowledge and skills acquired through the R.I.S. program aim to prepare highly skilled professionals capable of conducting research in various fields, including academia, public institutions, private companies, and the non-profit sector at local, national, and international levels. Graduates of the PhD in Research and Social Innovation are well-equipped to pursue the following career paths:

  • Postdoctoral research positions and academic careers in both Italian and international universities;
  • Analyst and researcher roles in research centers, research and development departments of companies, non-profit organizations, think tanks, government agencies, and public administrations;
  • Managerial positions with responsibilities in overseeing and analyzing innovation processes in public institutions, semi-public organizations, or private companies;
  • Experts in international cooperation organizations, social innovation, and sustainable development initiatives;
  • Social innovation consultants, including the establishment of spin-offs and start-up companies.

The comprehensive training provided by the program enables graduates to enter these diverse career paths, utilizing their expertise in research, innovation, and social development.

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