The PhD in SDC: beyond sustainability
We believe that to make our planet a better place it is necessary to change our society. This is why our PhD consists in 6 different curricula, whose courses and studies extends to the cultural, social, economic, legal, technological and any other aspects linked to modern reality.
Mission & Vision
The PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change combines the skills of the best Italian universities, creating an interuniversity and multidisciplinary educational roadmap.
An original PhD program that combines the experience and knowledge of professors from different fields of study with the skills of the students. The final aim is to define tools and methods to promote the ability of future generations to understand the evolution of the climate, as well as to design and implement new solutions for a sustainable society in all its aspects.
We want to instill knowledge and bring forth talents capable of contributing, with their own ideas, to the creation of a just and innovative society, in total harmony with the planet.
CU Alpha
One health: Earth System and human life
This curriculum focuses on the Earth system and its interactions with the natural ecosystems as well as human life. Through its research agenda, the curriculum aims to understand how climate and global changes impact the Earth system components, human health and ecosystem sustainability, to develop methods to monitor and predict future changes, to identify novel sustainable development models, and to develop strategies to adapt and mitigate climate and global changes.
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CU Beta
Human Society: socio-economic impacts, institutions, and theories
This curriculum explores the complex interplay between climate change and socio-economic systems, the role of institutions and law, the ethical and philosophical dimensions of climate discourse, and how language and neuro-cognitive processes affect climate narratives and decision-making. Through its research agenda, the curriculum aims to understand and communicate the societal risks and opportunities posed by the environmental crisis, and to inform governance and policy-making for sustainable and inclusive societies.
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CU Gamma
Technology and Territory: sustainable strategies and solutions for the transition
This curriculum focuses on resilience, sustainable development paradigms, circularity, and actions against climate change to be implemented in territories, communities, production processes and the consumption of resources and energy. Through its research agenda, the curriculum aims to address the complex and interconnected challenges arising from social and technological innovation, to promote a critical assessment of sustainability across research and solution development, integrating multi-scale, cross-sectoral perspectives to support sustainable, resilient transitions.
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The 3 levels the PhD educational programme
The PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change is based on a central research theme and six different curricula. All this translates into an educational program built on three levels of research: multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary.
Horizontal
Multi-Disciplinary Events (MD)
The MD events aim to expose the PhD candidates to the full complexity of designing and implementing a transition towards a more just, sustainable, and zero net-emissions society to manage weather and climate-risks.
These events will take the form of two MD workshops (MD-WS):
- Year 1 (MD-WS1): Kick-off meeting
MD-WS1 will include lectures delivered by academics working in all three curricular areas, which will provide candidates with high-level knowledge on the key themes of sustainability and climate change. This will add to their understanding of the multiple challenges we face, and will help to identify the most effective solutions.
- Year 1 (MD-WS2): Multidisciplinary event
MD-WS2 will include lectures delivered by academic and experts combined with individual and team activities, including essays, class discussion groups, laboratory-oriented activities and group data analysis. Candidates will work in small multi-disciplinary teams on a research project, which will be completed and presented during the workshop.
- Year 3 (MD-WS3): Final Conference
MD-WS3 will include lectures delivered by academics working in the three areas and presentation of PhD research projects. Discussion, constructive criticism, comparison of methods, tools and ideas will help the students in their doctoral research.
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Curriculum Events (CU)
The CU events will include content and formats related to the relevant curriculum and will provide a broad overview of the curriculum research topics.
The CU-events will be organized in two sessions:
- Year-1 CU Seasonal School (CU-SS) will provide an opportunity for the PhD candidates to attend topical lectures on some of the themes related to their work.
- Year-2 CU (CU-WS) will provide opportunities to attend topical lectures and present their doctoral research to colleagues to obtain feedback and trigger discussion.
Focused
Focused and Disciplinary (FD)
These refer mostly to single-theme and single-disciplinary courses. FD events will be defined by the PhD students with their supervisors.
Focused and Disciplinary courses will involve a minimum of 48 hours to be completed ideally during the first 12 months of the PhD course.
Together for the planet
The PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change can count on the participation of over 100 professors and more than 400 students: a network of knowledge and skills that aims to design solutions to make society sustainable in all its aspects.
Professors
Click below and meet all the professors involved in the PhD: wisdom and knowledge for a sustainable future.
Our professors
Students
Meet all the present and past students of the PhD: more than 250 people who are helping to save our planet.
Our studentsOur key numbers
In each of its cycles, the PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change has shown all its potential. All the results obtained are the fruit of our network of partners, universities, professors and students.
year research programme in English
universities in partnership
fully funded positions
months of research abroad
researchers and professors
hours of training and seminars
How to apply
Do you want to participate in the PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change as a student?
Click on the link below and go to the dedicated page, where you will find the registration requirements, procedures and necessary documents.
Administration
If you need any information, please contact our operational office by calling or sending an email at:
Chiara Mussi
Tel: +39 0382 375860 | chiara.mussi@iusspavia.it
Virginia Borasi
Tel: +39 0382 375836 | virginia.borasi@iusspavia.it
Fabio Negri
Tel: +39 0382 375830 | fabio.negri@iusspavia.it
Andra Brandolini
Tel: +39 0382 375829 | andrea.brandolini@iusspavia.it