Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna

PhD in Human Rights, Global Politics and Sustainability: Legal and Philosophical Perspectives 

Embark on a groundbreaking interdisciplinary journey at the Ph.D. programme in Human Rights, Global Politics, and Sustainability: Legal and Philosophical Perspectives.

At the heart of our programme is a commitment to fostering curiosity and open-minded exploration. We seek ideal candidates who are ready to embrace the rich diversity of disciplines and approaches we offer.

Positioned at the nexus of legal and political sciences, this programme delves into four crucial research areas:

Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Law: This area is committed to pioneering legal and policy tools aimed at enhancing the sustainability of food systems. Our focus extends to the intricate landscape of international, regional (with a focus on the European Union), and national regulatory frameworks governing agri-food systems. We examine the interplay and interconnected nature of legal dimensions related to farming, food production, and consumption, as well as issues surrounding climate change and environmental considerations.

Public International Law: This area includes, but it is not limited, to humanitarian law, criminal law, disaster law, the law of international organizations, and collective security law. We have a particular expertise in the protection and promotion of international human rights and the rule of law, particularly in contexts of armed conflict, post-conflict societies, disasters, and other emergency situations.

European Studies: This area focuses on the political and constitutional implications of the EU integration by paying attention to the interaction between the national and supranational systems and the external dimension of the Union. In so doing we aim to offer a critical approach to the current and future challenges of the supranational political dynamics by galvanizing the special nature of the EU, on one hand, without neglecting the importance of comparative law and politics, on the other hand.

Political Philosophy: This area, which includes the realm of global ethics, is focused on the socio-techno-political challenges emerging from the contemporary world. Such challenges are approached according to a conceptual, intersectional and critical perspective. The area’s components offer deeper insights into the following lines of research: methodology of social and political sciences; theoretical foundation of human rights; climate ethics and philosophical groundings of sustainability; posthuman studies, philosophy of technology; political forms of conspiracy theories and denialisms.

This programme empowers you to:

• Conduct cutting-edge research under the guidance of renowned faculty from diverse disciplines.
• Develop interdisciplinary expertise to tackle complex global challenges.
• Join a vibrant international community of students, scholars, and researchers.
• Prepare for a successful career in various fields, including academia, international organizations, government agencies, and NGOs.

Our PhD is a three-year, full-time, residential programme delivered entirely in English. Candidates will engage in a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment, collaborating across the following research areas: Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Law; European Studies; Political Philosophy; and Public International Law. Candidates are required to actively participate in Sant’Anna’s academic life, immersing themselves in the dynamic research environment and taking part in various ongoing activities at the Sant’Anna School, including seminars, conferences, intensive courses, and research projects.
The first year of the PhD programme includes a minimum of 150 hours of mandatory lectures. After the training period, candidates will proceed to supervised research work, producing an original dissertation to be discussed in a final, public examination. It is expected that candidates also produce articles publishable in international journals. Throughout their studies, participants will work under the supervision of a faculty member within the research areas of their interest. The supervisor will be appointed by the Board based on the proposal submitted by the PhD candidates within one month from the start of the programme.

During the second year, candidates will be required to spend a research period abroad. A minimum of six months is compulsory, and an additional grant is provided for that purpose.

The third year is dedicated to completing the final dissertation, presenting the results of an original piece of research. The PhD assessment includes an oral examination (viva) conducted by a committee of experts.