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 Studies (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 Faculties with the support of IDS

The Interdisciplinary Doctoral School offers four paths to a Doctoral Degree:

1. Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities (since 2019/2020)

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 Studies [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:

3. ICT & Psychology (first edition in 2018/2019, next admissions in 2022/2023)

ICT & Psychology program 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:

4. Industrial Doctorate support by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW)

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
Under the auspices of SWPS University’s Faculties with the support of IDS

• 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

International Lecture Series

Memberships & Collaborations

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.

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.

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) »