Doctoral studies in the humanities and social sciences

Doctoral studies are an opportunity to develop an original, independent advanced research project in sociocultural psychology and/or education.

An excellent Master’s degree in psychology and/or educational science or equivalent is required.

CURIOUS professors supervise doctoral theses in their areas of expertise, according to their availability and interests.

Doctoral students train according to their research needs and participate in affiliated doctoral networks (CURIOUS and EDSE).

A doctoral thesis is a prerequisite for pursuing a scientific career; it is a stepping stone to senior administrative positions; and it can be a way of developing expertise and reflexivity in a professional field.

The Doctoral Studies in Educational Sciences program is open to all doctoral students whose dissertations focus on educational issues. Aimed at a diverse public, they combine specialization and broader familiarization with the educational sciences and their contributing disciplines.
More specifically, they aim to introduce doctoral students to the profession of researcher

• perfect their knowledge of scientific methods
• stimulate epistemological reflection
• broaden their general vision of the educational sciences
• deepen their training in specialized fields.

Doctoral studies award a certificate recognizing the work accomplished (corresponding to ECTS credits). They are organized in collaboration with the three French-speaking universities and German-speaking professors and doctoral students, over a three-year period.

Information from prof. Tania Zittoun.

Doctoral studies in educational sciences (EDSE)

The Universities of Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Geneva and Lausanne have decided to join forces within the framework of the University Conference of Western Switzerland (CUSO) to support the development of joint doctoral schools.

European Cultural Psychology Network (CUPSYNET)

The doctoral network offers a network and community of researchers in sociocultural psychology to interested young researchers. As sociocultural psychology proposes, research is never carried out alone; exchanges, collaborations and debates are part and parcel of the process by which new ideas can emerge. The network offers a space for the development of theoretical, methodological and epistemological knowledge in sociocultural psychology. It does not aim to teach general models, techniques or “soft skills”. Network partners organize two to three meetings a year, sometimes in conjunction with a conference relevant to the network. The network partners undertake to provide accommodation for participating doctoral students. The partner universities are: University of Lausanne, European universities: London School of Economics (UK), Aalborg University (DK), University of Bath (UK), University of Belgrade (SE), University of Cyprus (CY), University of Copenhagen (DK), University of Salento (IT). Meetings are held in English.