The EUI Department of Political and Social Sciences invites interested researchers and prospective applicants to learn more about the PhD programme. Throughout the day, seminars, workshops, and working groups will be open to participants, offering a glimpse into the vibrant daily life at SPS. Participants will also have the opportunity to interact directly with the department through Q&A sessions with faculty, the Academic Service, and current researchers.
Programme:
10:30 – 11:00 | Get to know the EUI Library services
Hosted by Thomas Bourke (Information Specialist at the EUI Library), this session provides a short overview of the EUI Library’s collections and services for SPS researchers. Thomas Bourke will introduce participants to available resources for social science research, including:
- Data repositories and datasets for empirical research
- Books and eBooks
- The journals and news collections
- Reference materials.
11:15 – 13:00 | Comparative politics seminar
Led by EUI Professors Simon Hix and Sascha Riaz, join this open seminar to experience an SPS course in comparative politics. Professors Hix and Riaz will guide participants through current debates in comparative political research, exploring key theoretical frameworks and empirical applications.
This session allows prospective applicants to observe the interactive teaching format typical of SPS seminars.
14:00 – 15:00 | Inside the SPS PhD: faculty & admissions Q&A
Speakers:
- Professor Arnout van de Rijt, Head of Department
- Professor Filip Kostelka, Director of Graduate Studies
- Stefania Bocchi, Admission Officer from Academic Service.
Moderator: Alessia Manco, Digital Marketing Officer
This session offers a detailed introduction to the SPS PhD Programme and the admissions process. After a short welcome by the Head of Department and the Director of Graduate Studies, the Academic Service will provide a concise overview of:
- How to apply
- Key selection criteria
- Practical tips for preparing a strong application.
The floor will then open for questions from participants.
15:30 – 17:00 | CLIC Working Group
Speaker: Katharina Stückradt
Organised by Comparative Life Course and Inequality Research Centre (CLIC), this research session offers insight into the work of the CLIC Working Group, which studies life course dynamics and social inequalities in comparative perspective. Participants will be able to observe how ongoing research is presented and discussed among EUI scholars and visiting academics.
17:10 – 17:45 | Meet the SPS researchers – Q&A session
Organised by SPS Researcher representatives, this interactive session is hosted by current SPS researchers, who will share their experiences of life and study at the EUI and in Florence.
After short introductions, participants will be able to ask open questions about:
- The daily life of a doctoral researcher
- Supervision and research culture
- Life in Florence
- The broader EUI community.
This is an excellent opportunity for prospective applicants to hear authentic first-hand insights from current PhD researchers.
Registration:
All sessions are open to registered participants.
Please complete the registration form at the bottom of this page to receive your Zoom links.
Learn more about our Doctoral Programme in Political and Social Sciences, by visiting our website.
For more information, please contact sps.dept@eui.eu.