Literary Studies

1. Top specialists

   You will have an opportunity to work with renowned experts who specialize in literary studies, for example: Professor Jerzy Sobieraj – history and literature of the United States, Professor Tadeusz Rachwał – literary theory, Professor Mikołaj Wiśniewski – the 19th and 20th century literature written in English, writer Jeremy Tambling – comparative literature, and writer and translator Professor David Malcolm – the 19th and 20th British and Irish literature. Working with expert researchers will help you to acquire theoretical knowledge, as well as methodological and practical research skills.

2. Collaboration with thesis advisors

   If you choose literary studies as your leading discipline, you will learn terminology and research methodology specific to humanities. You will also become familiar with the concepts of contemporary literary and critical theory. The seminars, lectures and classes focused on practical skills, will prepare you for active participation in the process of culture creation. As a doctoral student, you will collaborate with a team of thesis advisors who carry out interdisciplinary research concerning various aspects of literary studies, such as literature written in English, literary and cultural comparative studies, contemporary critical theory, postcolonialism, psychoanalysis, feminist criticism, and translation theory.

3. Interdisciplinary approach

   Our program combines elements of classic literary studies and interdisciplinary reflections. The academic staff includes lectures from the Faculty of Humanities in Warsaw and SWPS University’s Institute of Humanities. Research topics of your doctoral thesis may pertain to the following areas: literature written before the 19th century or contemporary literature written in Polish, English, Spanish or Swedish, comparative literary studies, problems in literary translation, and historical and modern critical and theoretical tendencies in literary studies.

4. Mentoring program

   As a student of the Doctoral School you can take advantage of our innovative mentoring program, which provides you with additional guidance on your way to a doctoral degree. The program offers group workshops, peer-mentoring meetings conducive to integration of doctoral students, exchange of knowledge and best practices among doctoral candidates, and individual consultation with mentors, who advise you on the development of your research career.

5. Funding for research-related activities

   Doctoral students are eligible to receive funding for participation in conferences and other research-related activities deemed crucial for their doctoral research. You can also take advantage of various opportunities concerning collaboration with research centers abroad, which organize international conferences and symposia, and offer fellowships.

6. Partnering with the European University Association (EUA)

   We are a member of the European University Association (EUA), which represents more than 850 universities and national conferences of rectors in 49 European countries. EUA plays a key role in the Bologna process and influences EU policy on higher education, research and innovation. Through constant interaction with a range of other European and international organizations, EUA ensures that the independent voice of European universities is heard.

   

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1. Review our research centers

   Before you apply to our Doctoral School, review our Research Centers and choose a center or team, whose area of expertise is aligned with the topic of your doctoral thesis. Review the biographies of thesis advisors, in particular their research interests and requirements concerning doctoral candidates. Choose an expert with whom you would like to collaborate.

2. Contact your chosen research center

   E-mail the head of the center/research team, where your thesis advisor works. Present the scope of your proposed research project, and indicate the researcher whom you have chosen as your thesis advisor. You may also contact the selected thesis advisor directly.

3. Obtain recommendation of the Head of the Center

   Once you receive initial approval of your potential thesis advisor, submit a request for a formal recommendation to the Head of the Research Center. You will need this document while registering in our Application Portal.