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.