Presentation
The PhD Programme in Legal Sciences, as the third level of university education where advanced training and research are closely integrated, aims to foster the integration of the various legal specialisations through an approach that is not only specialised but also interdisciplinary at the highest level.
The programme is organised into three curricula, each offering doctoral candidates educational and research training activities, with particular emphasis on research methodologies and on the evolution of law within an increasingly multidimensional and interdisciplinary framework.
The programme is designed to provide the scientific and professional preparation of a global legal scholar who, through the methods and knowledge acquired, is able to adopt a multidisciplinary perspective and critically analyse the various aspects of the complex legal experience, while developing in-depth expertise in the specific fields corresponding to the disciplines in which research will be conducted within the chosen curriculum.
The doctoral programme encompasses a broad range of legal areas, including public law, private law, comparative public and private law, procedural law, criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, international law, legal history, and sociology of law.
In addition to the specific curriculum-based programme, the training project includes a series of common activities aimed at developing competencies in legal methodology, digital skills, and foreign languages.
To ensure a comprehensive educational experience, the programme supports and promotes the mobility of doctoral candidates and faculty members, fostering internationalisation through initiatives that include lectures and seminars delivered in English.
The programme also promotes conferences and seminars involving European and international scholars, including the annual PhD Summer School, and contributes to the organisation of the Semaine Doctorale Intensive at the École de Droit of Sciences Po University in Paris, which brings together professors and researchers from leading universities around the world.
Programme Objectives
Each doctoral cycle is structured over three academic years, each designed to provide a training pathway aimed at developing the scientific and methodological skills necessary for the critical formation of legal scholars. Common to all three years is a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary education, the exploration of the most current issues in scholarly debate through dedicated seminars, workshops, and conferences, and the acquisition of practical legal skills through a law in action approach inspired by the clinical legal education model.
The first year is largely devoted to acquiring the fundamental methodological skills required for legal research. The programme promotes seminar series aimed at enhancing research capabilities and developing essential methodological competencies.
The second year focuses on consolidating the skills acquired during the first year through the development of an individualised training pathway. Within this framework, internationalisation is strongly encouraged, including research stays at foreign universities and research institutions in accordance with the candidate’s research project. The objective is to further strengthen the doctoral candidate’s methodological and scientific profile while refining their individual research trajectory.
The third year is devoted primarily to the completion of the final dissertation (doctoral thesis).
Joint Programs
As part of its commitment to promoting internationalisation, the programme offers two joint doctoral pathways: one with the Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI) (https://univali.br/) and another with the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) – Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire d’Études sur les Réflexivités – Fonds Yan Thomas (LIER-FYT) (http://lier.ehess.fr/index.php?847).
Visiting professor
The internationalisation of the University of Perugia has a significant impact on the scientific, cultural, and relational dimensions of academic life. The University places great importance on international exchanges in research and education and regards the strengthening and expansion of its network of relationships with highly qualified institutions, academics, and researchers worldwide as a strategic priority.
Within this framework, the Department of Law also welcomes academics and researchers who meet the relevant requirements to undertake research or teaching activities at the University, fostering the exchange of expertise, experience, and knowledge while promoting a culture of international collaboration.