The PhD programme in History, Philosophy, and Political - Social Studies (Studi Storici, Filosofici e Politico-Sociali - SFIPOL) is multidisciplinary, integrating history, philosophy and political science, and combining empirical and theoretical approaches to inform students' understanding of social and cultural transformations. This programme aims to train researchers capable of critically analysing contemporary dynamics and provides solid foundations through lectures, thematic seminars and workshops. This is achieved via an integrated approach that looks at the historical roots of current issues and which encourages students to develop new interpretative perspectives to address them. This programme also includes activities aimed at developing transversal skills, such as project management, teamwork and effective communication, essential for work any field.
The overarching aim of the inter-university PhD programme "Historical, Philosophical and Political-Social Studies" (SFIPOL) is unified, with certain thematic and perspective-specific features distinguishing the different curricula. The SFIPOL PhD programme promotes a coherent integration of historical, philosophical, and political studies, encompassing both empirical-positivist and theoretical-normative approaches. Its goal is to provide PhD candidates with, on one hand, a methodological "toolbox" and a cultural foundation as common as possible to the various areas of study and research, and on the other hand, a robust specialised education through the definition of pathways that, in some cases, may also intertwine.
The SFIPOL PhD programme aims to prepare not only young researchers who are competitive in the international academic market but also professionals capable of undertaking research, consultancy, coordination, and management tasks at private research centres, think tanks, and political and economic organisations, both private and public, at the regional, national, and international levels.
Furthermore, through workshops and seminars, the programme seeks to support doctoral students in developing the following personal and professional skills, which fall under the category of soft skills.
These objectives will be pursued primarily through the creation of a community of students and lecturers. By sharing knowledge and expertise from various fields of the humanities, history, philosophy, and political-social sciences, this community will develop methodological and conceptual tools to enhance and, at the same time, transcend "disciplinary boundaries."
SFIPOL aims to provide advanced skills for both academic research and high-skilled roles in various professional fields. SFIPOL graduates will have the skills and experience required to pursue careers in research and higher education in Italy and abroad, in both public and private institutions. The multidisciplinarity and flexible nature of the programme also creates professionals who will hold important roles in culture, communication and scientific-cultural design.
Career opportunities include: academia, where a doctorate is a fundamental requirement for becoming a university researcher and lecturer; public administration, with high-level roles in governmental and research institutions; private institutions such as foundations and cultural centres; journalism and communication; and international organisations, where a interdisciplinary background attests to the ability to work across fields on complex tasks.
The main career prospects are: culture and communication (publishing, cultural and scientific journalism, management of museums, archives and libraries); scientific-cultural design (experts in European and regional projects); and creative enterprises with high levels of savoir-faire.