Interdisciplinary
Doctoral School
About
Our Interdisciplinary Doctoral School (IDS) is an umbrella structure for various paths of gaining a doctoral degree and activities related to the third level education available at SWPS University. The School comprises three research institutes: the Institute of Psychology, the Instiutue of Social Sciences, and the Institute of Humanities, which orgnize the process of doctoral promotions and public defences of doctoral thesis. The interdisciplinarity character of the School stems from four disciplines, including: psychology, sociology, cultural studies and literature studies. The School is a member of international organizations, such as the European University Association-Council for Doctoral Education and Vitae, a UK-based global leader in supporting the professional development of researchers (see the Memberships and Collaborations Tab).
Our Interdisciplinary Doctoral School is currently undergoing an intense process of internationalization. We are developing new English modules and courses, in cooperation with numerous international institutions. Additionally, we participate in international tenders that provide funding for doctoral education, such as: H2020 International Training Networks, and the European Social Fund (through NCBiR).
Admissions to IDS are open to non-Polish nationals. Please note that at this time, Engllish is the language of instruction for only 30% of the courses. This, however, provides a great opportunity for international candidates to use Erasmus programs to enroll in doctoral courses to top up their ECTS points and fulfil their course obligations.
Currently the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School offers five paths of doctoral education:
- Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program (until December 31, 2023)
- Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities (established 2019/2020 following the new legislation on higher education)
- ICT & Psychology in cooperation with Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology (program in English), funded by the European Social Fund
- Industrial Doctorate supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW)
- External/Extramural Doctorate (in Polish: doktorat eksternistyczny)
Please go to the Doctoral Paths tab for detailed information about these programs.
Interdisciplinary Doctoral School - Education Model (across all education paths)
General goals of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School at SWPS University include:
1. To establish international integrated and comprehensive doctoral programs at SWPS University
2. To align the doctoral programs with the Bologna Process, Salzburg II Recommendations, SWPS University policy and strategy 2017-2022 and into the general strategy for science set by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
Alignment of SWPS Universtiy's Interdisciplinary Doctoral School with the Salzburg II Recommendations:
- Doctoral training is the advancement of knowledge through original training, which has to meet the needs of the employment market wider than academia
Approach of SWPS University: (1) to offer the advancement of knowledge through original training via own educational model; (2) to facilitate and navigate career understanding and development of and by young scholars within academia and beyond, with the help of a Mentoring Line; (3) to provide a supportive environment for the development of doctoral dissertations embedded in Research Centers & Labs of SWPS University. - Embedding research in institutional strategies and policies
Approach of SWPS University: (1) to embed doctoral education into ‘2017-2022 Strategy of SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities and into the developing academic brand of SWPS University Labs & Hubs; (2) to embed the program into the recent policy of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, which addresses the Salzburg II Recommendations. - The importance of diversity through joint doctorates
Approach of SWPS University: (1) to develop and strengthen joint doctorates not only within SWPS University Labs & Hubs and other research groups, but also with institutional partners, who are linked with the university through research consortia and other academic initiatives. - Doctoral candidates as early stage researchers
Approach of SWPS University: (1) to create horizontal, non-hierarchical opportunities for young scholars to develop their careers, predominantly through participation in SWPS University Research Centers & Labs; (2) to recognize the contribution of young scholars to the creation of new knowledge by commensurate acknowledgements in publications. - The crucial role of supervision and assessment
Approach of SWPS University: (1) to make transparent arrangements for supervision and assessment based on a framework of shared responsibilities between doctoral candidates, supervisor(s) and SWPS University; (2) to actively involve the Research Centers & Labs and other research groups in the supervision and assessment of doctoral candidates; (3) to create an Assessment Board. - Context-sensitive and best practices of European universities
Approach of SWPS University: (1) to make doctoral candidates aware of the Central and East European (CEE) context, where doctoral programs are conducted; (2) to provide courses to enhance mutual understanding of people from different cultures and from different backgrounds; (3) to create grass-root supportive environment through Research Centers & Labs; (4) to apply best practices developed by European universities that have long-standing traditions of running doctoral programs and to vernacularize their experience by adjusting it to the local conditions. - Duration
Approach of SWPS University: (1) to make an effective use of the standard 48-month doctoral program in Poland, across the five blocks of the educational model; (2) to adjust the composition of courses from each block to the level of doctoral studies, including: freshman, junior doctoral candidate, senior doctoral candidate, and young scholar. - The promotion of innovative structures
Approach of SWPS University: (1) to promote an innovative structure of the doctoral educational model of SWPS University, especially by embedding doctoral dissertations into Research Centers & Labs; (2) to effectively target students from various backgrounds, including the Polish Diaspora and international students from other continents. - Increasing mobility
Approach of SWPS University: (1) to offer a doctoral program that is interdisciplinary, intersectoral and inter-spacial (between campuses) in nature and works across Research Centers & Labs of SWPS University; (2) to promote and support research stays of doctoral students in other international universities. - Funding
Approach of SWPS University: (1) to secure diversified funding opportunities; (2) to enhance international joint supervision; (3) to enhance international revision procedures by establishing international doctoral committees.
Doctoral Paths
- Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities
- Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program (Interdyscyplinarne Studia Doktoranckie)
- ICT & Psychology
- Industrial Doctorate supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
- External/Extramural Doctorates (in Polish: doktorat eksternistyczny)
Under the auspices of SWPS University’s Institutes with the support of IDS
The Interdisciplinary Doctoral School offers five paths to a Doctoral Degree:
1. Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities (established 2019/2020 based on the the new Law on Higher Education)
Admissions: every spring
The main goal of the Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities is to support career development of young researchers. The School has developed a unique education model, which is implemented in cooperation with the EUA Council for Doctoral Education and VITAE, a global leader in supporting the professional development of researcher. Candidates are admitted to one of SWPS University’s research centers and from the very beginning, they work with teams of scientists on actual research projects. This unique model, coupled with a mentoring program, provides doctoral students with optimal environment for professional development. More information »
2. Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program [Interdyscyplinarne Studia Doktoranckie] (until December 31, 2023)
The Interdisciplinary Doctoral Studies (in Polish: Interdyscyplinarne Studia Doktoranckie) is the core program of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School. The main language of instruction is Polish (70 percent of courses) with some courses delivered in English (30 percent).
IDP offers doctoral studies in the following disciplines:
WARSAW
culture studies
literature studies
psychology
sociology
WROCŁAW
psychology
3. ICT & Psychology (first edition in 2018/2019, next admissions in 2022/2023)
ICT & Psychology program, funded by the European Social Fund, is a new, entirely interdisciplinary doctoral program funded by the European Social Fund (via the National Center for Research and Development) that combines Information and Communication Technologies with Psychology. It is a joint program, conducted by the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology (PJAIT), the leader of the program, in close cooperation with SWPS University. The program is delivered entirely in English.
For more information, please go to the following websites:
SWPS University of Humanities and Social Sciences »
Program Coordinator at SWPS University:
Professor Aneta Brzezicka
Contact: abrzezi2@swps.edu.pl
Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology »
Program Coordinator at PJAIT:
Professor Adam Wierzbicki
Contact: adamw@pjwstk.edu.pl
4. Industrial Doctorate support by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW)
Admissions: every spring
The industrial doctorate program enables young researchers to search for answers to practical research questions that are grounded in social reality. The goal of the program is to provide a platform for the collaboration between the academia and business partners, public administration or community organizations. On the one hand, doctoral students have an opportunity to pursue a degree at SWPS University’s Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities, and on the other hand they maintain their employment status. This collaboration results not only in doctoral theses, but also in a practical implementation of research results in organizations where doctoral students are employed. More information »
5. External/Extramural Doctorates (in Polish: doktorat eksternistyczny) - dpending on the discipline (details to be announced soon)
Under the auspices of SWPS University’s Institutes with the support of IDS
Admissions: every spring
- Doctoral seminars for professionals
- A path to obtaining an External/Extramural Doctorate (in Polish: doktorat eksternistyczny)
PROGRAM
Our doctoral seminars enable individuals to obtain External/Extramural Doctorates (in Polish: doktorat eksternistyczny) in social sciences. The program has been designed to provide students with a solid subject-matter and methodological background. It supports multifaceted development and ensures that students gain knowledge, skills and competencies indispensable in the process of obtaining a doctoral degree, while working with renowned researchers.The program includes theoretical overview of social sciences, data analysis and collaboration with doctoral advisors.
CANDIDATE
Doctoral seminars are addressed to professionals working in business organizations, NGOs or public administration, who would like to obtain an External/Extramural doctoral degree in social sciences.
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
One of the requirements imposed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW) on the candidates intending to obtain a doctorate is achieving educational outcomes at Level 8 of the Polish Qualifications Framework. The education package offered by our doctoral seminars enables students to reach and verify the educational outcomes and, subsequently, begin the process leading to obtaining a doctoral degree at SWPS University.
The Interdisciplinary Doctoral School is awaiting a formal approval to offer other forms of doctoral studies, including:
- Industrial European Doctorates (in Polish: doktorat wdrożeniowy) to be provided in cooperation with the Copernicus Science Center.
- International doctorates conducted within the framework of the Horizon 2020 Innovative Training Network, where the University of Maastricht will be the leading institution.
Team
Doctoral School Team
Associate Professor Izabela Grabowska »
Director of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School
Associate Professor Aneta Brzezicka »
International Programs Coordinator
Assistant Professor Joanna Szen-Ziemiańska
Mentoring Expert, Warsaw
Associate Professor Justyna Ziółkowska
Mentoring Expert, Wrocław
Assistant Professor Agata Jastrzębowska-Tyczkowska »
Evaluator and Coordinator of the Industrial Doctorate Program
Board of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School
Associate Professor Izabela Grabowska »
Director of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School of SWPS University
Institute of Social Sciences
Associate Professor Mikołaj Cześnik »
Director of the Institute of Social Sciences
Institute of Social Sciences
Professor Tadeusz Rachwał
Representing the Institute of Humanities
Institute of Humanities
Professor Tomasz Zaleśkiewicz »
Representing the Institute of Psychology
Institute of Psychology (Wrocław)
Professor Grzegorz Sędek »
Representing the Institute of Psychology
Institute of Psychology (Warsaw)
Anna Woźniak
Representing Doctoral Students' Council
Doctoral Students’ Council
The Doctoral Students’ Council (DSC) is a student organization that supports the needs of doctoral students, brings together doctoral students of all faculties and years of study, represents the doctoral student body at various forums at SWPS University and provides a platform for a variety of initiatives supporting doctoral students and alumni.
Twice a year (during the summer and winter semesters) the Council organizes a Doctoral Student Conference. An active participation in the conference is one of the requirements of the doctoral program and at the same time it provides an opportunity for doctoral students to present their first research findings and achievements. Additionally, the Conference provides a space for interdisciplinary discussions and for learning about research conducted in other disciplines of study.
The Council organizes team building and training trips that allow doctoral student to integrate and to learn from each other and from the alumni. These events serve as a forum for best practice sharing so that new students could learn from the experiences of their older colleagues and apply the learnings while working towards their own doctoral theses.
Members of the Council represent doctoral students at various official bodies, including the Scholarship Commission, the Commission for the Financial Support of Low Income Students, the Research Committee, the Inter-Faculty Committee for Disciplinary Procedures, the National Representation of Doctoral Students and Warszawskie Porozumienie Doktorantów (the Warsaw Association of Doctoral Students).
Our goal is to support doctoral students in the process of developing their careers. We are the bridge between doctoral students and the authorities of SWPS University and of the SWPS University Doctoral School and we are also fellow travelers on the challenging road towards doctoral degrees.
Contact: samorzad.doktorancki@swps.edu.pl
International Lecture Series
Distinguished Lecture Series "The Challenges of Humanities of the 21st Century"
“The Challenges of Humanities of the 21st Century” is a series of lectures by distinguished specialists, who represent various disciplines from the field of humanities. The events are aimed at students of SWPS University's Interdisciplinary Doctoral School, however all interested parties are welcome. The format includes post-lecture informal discussions on topics presented by the invited experts. The friendly atmosphere of the events is conducive to networking, which lends itself to opportunities of future internships at universities or research centers around the world.
Agenda 2020/2021
Dominika Blachnicka-Ciacek, Ph.D., SWPS University, Institute of Social Sciences
Date: 09.04.2021 | Title: Towards post-growth and interdependence? Strategies of deep adaptation to climate change »
Katarzyna Jaśko, Ph.D., Jagiellonian University, researcher at the Institute of Psychology
Date: 14.01.2021 | Title: Doing Open Science When You are a Ph.D. Student »
Professor Marcin Jacoby, SWPS University, Head of the Department of Asian Studies
Date: 18.12.2020 | Title: Political Leadership in Times of Change: Lessons from Ancient China »
An online conference of the Polish Sociological Association
Date: 5-6.11.2020 | Title: Social Change in the 21st century: Youth-Family-Economy-Migration »
Professor Karol Olejniczak, SWPS University, Associate Professor of Public Policy
Date: 16.10.2020 | Title: Games for Public Polilcy »
Agenda 2019/2020
Professor Aneta Brzezicka, SWPS University, Head of the Neurocognitive Research Center (NRC)
Date: 26.06.2020 | Title: Can computer gaming improve the mind? »
Professor Aleksandra Cisłak-Wójcik, SWPS University, Director of the Institute of Psychology, Date: 24.04.2020 | Title: Secure and narcissistic forms of in-group identification »
Professor Mikołaj Cześnik, SWPS University, Director of the Institute of Social Sciences
Date: 07.02.2020 | Title: On inequalities in Poland: Individuals' perspective »
Professor Mirosław Filiciak, SWPS University, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Director of the Institute of Humanities,
Date: 31.11.2020 | Title: Designing Heritage: Archives in the era of the expanding culture field »
Professor Izabela Grabowska, SWPS University, Institute of Social Sciences, Director of Interdisciplinary Doctoral School,
Date: 13.12.2019 | Title: Impact of migration on Poles born between 1970 and 1989 »
Professor Jeremy Tambling, Manchester University, Department of Literature
Date: 29.11.2019 | Title: Natural Beauty, Natural History and Ugliness »
Professor Grzegorz Sędek, Professor of Psychology at SWPS University
Date: 12.10.2019 | Title: Impact of aging on judgements and decision making (lecture in Polish)»
Agenda 2018/2019
Professor Louise Ryan, Professor of Sociology at the University of Sheffield and Visiting Professor at SWPS University in 2018/2019
Date: 24.05.2019 | Title: Telling network stories: Migrants’ relationality, identity and belonging in place over time »
Associate Professor Eva Gemzøe Mikkelsen, from the University of Southern Denmark
Date: 05.04.2019 | Title: Case Study: Management of bullying in a minimum-security prison »
Professor Brita Bjørkelo, cand.psychol, PhD, from the Norwegian Police University College.
Date: 05.04.2019 | Title: Whistleblowing and Workplace Bullying: A Linear, Circular or Mixed Relationship? »
Professor Paul Verhaeghen, Professor of psychology at the Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Psychology
Date: 12.04.2019 | Title: Minding your morals: How trait mindfulness relates to the moral foundations, prejudice, and awareness of privilege »
Professor Adam Wierzbicki, Vice-Rector of the Polish-Japanese Academy for Information Technology
Date: 02.03.2019 | Title: Social Informatics: Introduction And Research Problems »
Professor Louise Ryan, Professor of Sociology at the University of Sheffield and Visiting Professor at SWPS University in 2018/2019
Date: 16.11.2018 | Title: Differentiated embedding as a framework for understanding migrants reaction to Brexit »
Alexander Hasgall, Ph.D., Head of the European University Association-Council for Doctoral Education
Date: 13.10.2018 | Title: Doctoral Education in Europe and Landscape of Doctoral Schools »
Professor Charles Abraham, University of Melbourne
Date: 11.10.2018 | Title: Behavior Change Interventions: Design and Evaluation, Deconstruction and Implementation »
Agenda 2017/2018
Emeritus Professor Karl Halvor Teigen, University of Oslo, Department of Psychology
Date: 22.05.2018 | Title: The Language of Uncertainty - After 30 Years »
Erik Løhre, Ph.D., University of Oslo, Simula Research Laboratory
Date: 22.05.2018 | Title: Using Intervals to Communicate Uncertainty »
Emeritus Professor Margaret S. Archer, University of Warwick, Department of Sociology
Date: 17.05.2018 | Title: Reflexivity: Mediating Between Structure & Culture to Influence Agency »
Assiciate Professor Ori Friedman, University of Waterloo, Department of Psychology
Date: 09.05.2018 | Title: The Psychological Basis of Ownership: Evidence from Studies of Young Children »
Professor David Leiser, Ben Gurion University of Negev, Department of Psychology
Date: 23.04.2018 | Title: The Primate Toolbox and the Modern World »
Professor Jeremy Tambling, Manchester University, Department of Literature
Date: 13.04.2018 | Title: Cities and Capitalism: Questioning New Technology »
Professor Russell King, University of Sussex, Department of Geography
Date: 16.03.2018 | Title: Brexit and Mobility: Between Connection, Disruption and Affect »
Professor Anne White, University College London
Date: 16.02.2018 | Tittle: The Impact of Migration on Poland: EU Mobility and Social Change »
Professor Barbara Klimek, Arizona State University
Date: 12.01.2018 | Tittle: Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship: Soacial Ipact, Soacial Innovation and Sustainbility »
Michał Kosiński, Ph.D., Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University
Date: 24.11.2017 | Tittle: Digital Footprints »
Agenda 2016/2017
Professor Peggy Levitt, Senior Research Fellow at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
Date: 26.06.2017 | Title: Artifacts and Allegiances: How Museums Put the Nation and the World on Display »
Professor Peggy Levitt, Senior Research Fellow at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
Date: 22.06.2017 | Title: Transnational Social Protection: Setting the Agenda »
Professor Barbara Klimek, Arizona State University
Date: 11.01.2017 | Title: Community Development Model: Application for Developing Community Programs »
Professor Godfried Engbersen, from Erasmus University Rotterdam
Date: 10.10.2016 | Title: Refugees and the role of social media »
Audio & Video
Can computer gaming improve the mind? - Associate Professor Aneta Brzezicka
Doctoral Education in Europe and Landscape of Doctoral Schools - dr Alexander Hasgall
REFLEXIVITY: Mediating Between Structure and Culture - Prof. Margaret S. Archer
Brexit and Mobility: Between Connection, Disruption and Affect - Prof. Russell King
How Culture and Language Influence Perception of Our Environment - Prof. Debi Roberson
Artifacts and Allegiances: How Museums Put the Nation and the World on Display - Prof. Peggy Levitt
Community Development Model: Application for Developing Community Programs - dr hab. Barbara Klimek
Refugees and the Role of Social Media - Prof. Godfried Engbersen
Memberships & Collaborations
Member of the European Council for Doctoral Education
The EUA Council for Doctoral Education (EUA-CDE) is the largest European network in this field, covering more than 30 countries and bringing together a community of academic leaders and professionals from over 230 universities awarding doctoral degrees and institutions working on issues related to doctoral education and research training.
Member of Vitae
VITAE is a non-profit organization based in the UK that has been enhancing the skills of researchers and supporting transitions of doctoral students to industry, for over 45 years. It is also experienced in working with institutions as they strive for research excellence, innovation and impact.
VITAE Research Development Framework »
Collaborating Research Centers, Labs, and Groups at SWPS University
- Academic Center for Educational and Social Innovation (AKCES)
- Behavioral Economics Research Group »
- CARE-BEH Center for Applied Research on Health Behavior and Health
- Center for Behavioral Economics
- Center for Research on Cognition and Behavior »
- Center for the Study of Democracy »
- Creative Economy Research Center
- Digital Humanities Research Group
- Discourse Analysis Research Team
- Economic and Business Psychology Research Group
- Eye Tracking Laboratory
- HumanTech Center for Social and Technological Innovation (SWPS University) »
- Consumer and Organizational Behavior Laboratory (CobLab)
- GamesLab
- Interdisciplinary Center for Applied Cognitive Studies (ICACS)
- Klimat Research Group for Creativity in the Child-Parent Relationship
- Mobility Research Group »
- Narrative Behavioral Therapy Research Group
- Neurocognitive Research Center (NRC)
- Peripheral Psychophysiology Laboratory
- Poznań Laboratory of Affective Neuroscience »
- Research Center for Trauma and Dissociation »
- Research Group for Film Studies
- Research Group for the Study of Anthropology of New Capitalism
- Research Group for the Study of Information Processing in Typical and Atypical Individuals
- Social Relationships Research Group
- Sopot Social Cognition Lab »
- StresLab
- Violence Research Group
- Youth Research Center (SWPS University) »
Office of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School
- + 48 22 517 99 03
- sdoktora@swps.edu.pl
- Chodakowska 19/31
03-815 Warsaw, Room 212 - As of March 13, 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the suspension of all classes at SWPS University, the IDS Office will provide its services exclusively online until futher notice. Thank you for your understanding.
- Office Hours:
Monday and Friday: 09:00-15:00
Download IDS Regulation »
Download Resolution on admission process »
