A PhD in Global Studies & Innovation is active at UNINT.  The programme aims to train researchers and practitioners with an in-depth understanding of innovation and social change, along with a solid knowledge of the intercultural and transnational contexts in wich this change takes place.

Description and objectives 

The doctoral programme aims to develop skills relating to the evolution of global society, with reference to people, organisations, institutions, languages and educational processes. The course aims to deepen, also from an operational perspective, the understanding of the main trends in social and technical innovation, and to outline interventions in international contexts that are not only effective and efficient, but also people-oriented. Therefore, the aim is to train highly specialised professionals, such as educators, managers and operators in the defence and security sector, capable of effectively managing highly complex situations, without losing sight of the centrality of the person and the need to contribute to common development.

The research activities are supervised by the Doctoral Board of professors, in order to enhance their interdisciplinary aspects, in the context of innovation and globalisation studies. Dialogue with doctoral students is taken into account.
The duration of the programme is three years and the number of places available is six.
Admission procedures and selection criteria are defined in a specific call for applications, which is published once a year, usually between the months of June, August and September. Admission to the PhD programme is also open to employees of public administrations who, if admitted following the selection process, may be granted a period of study leave for the duration of the programme.
The six PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) grants aim to develop the following missions in particular:

MISSION 1: DIGITISATION, INNOVATION, COMPETITIVENESS, CULTURE AND TOURISM.

M1C1: DIGITALISATION, INNOVATION AND SECURITY IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. The project aims to develop cross-cultural and IT skills suitable for operating within security and prevention systems to counter threats in the cyberspace, with special reference to the increasing vulnerability due to digitization.

M1C2: DIGITALISATION, INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVENESS IN THE PRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. The project aims to analyse the key factors behind the image and international competitiveness of Made in Italy, with a particular focus on the use of digital channels to analyse the foreign reputation of domestic products, services and brands and the development of communication and sales strategies aimed at international markets.

M1C3: TOURISM AND CULTURE 4.0. The project aims at understanding political and intercultural communication phenomena, on the one hand, and observing tourism and migration flows from an experiential perspective, on the other, making use of the processes of digitization and/or data-base creation.

MISSION 4: EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.

M4C1: STRENGTHENING THE OFFER OF EDUCATION SERVICES: FROM NURSERIES TO UNIVERSITIES. The project analyses the educational offerings of universities to investigate pedagogical and educational assumptions regarding delivery through digital technologies.

MISSION 5: INCLUSION AND COHESION

M5C1: LABOUR POLICIES. The research project is oriented towards the definition of a system of interdisciplinary skills suitable for fostering the training of new professionals capable of supporting the international development activities of the Italian system, both at the entrepreneurial and institutional level, with particular attention to gender equality in access to professions related to internationalisation processes.

M5C3: SPECIAL INTERVENTIONS FOR TERRITORIAL COHESION. The project may focus on the two selected, preferably interlinked, components: intercultural dynamics for social inclusion and countering radicalisation phenomena. Particular emphasis should be given to the development of skills useful for understanding, preventing and countering the phenomena of religious extremism related to social distress - on an urban, national and European scale - and to international political dynamics.

Scientific approach and research themes

The doctoral course takes an interdisciplinary approach, combining the study of the dynamics underlying the changes taking place in society from a political, cultural and economic perspective, with a focus on the impact of digital innovation. More generally, doctoral students are expected to develop and synthesise research related to the social sciences and humanities, so that they can carry out original and interdisciplinary studies. The PhD course will also focus on the study of 'transnational management' theories and practices, with a specific focus on the relations between Europe and the most relevant emerging geographical areas, which are increasingly gaining internationally geopolitical, economic and cultural ground and play a key role in European and global security (including cybersecurity). A holistic approach to the above issues will be encouraged.

The programme aims at attracting Master's graduates with a strong multi/interdisciplinary profile, a significant knowledge of intercultural communication research paradigms and who are able to develop high quality scholarly activities focusing on law and geopolitics, international and digital affairs, psycho-pedagogy, political relations, languages, international security, economics and finance. The programme includes research and training in the fields of linguistics, education, management, intercultural communication and, in general, provides students with a significant knowledge of the influence of digital innovation on nations and organisations, from economic, legal, social and cultural perspectives.

Professional opportunities

Upon completion of the course, doctoral candidates will be able to qualify for jobs in international companies and organisations, including public institutions, supranational organisations and multinational companies operating in Europe and/or emerging countries. PhD students will also be able to seek teaching and research positions in academia and higher education institutions.

Potential career opportunities include: 

• management of internal and external intercultural communication;
• management of cross-border transactions and business relations;
• human resources and diversity management;
• development of language strategies and strategic language solutions in communication units;
• development of translation, language and communication strategies in translation companies;
• interpreting and translation management;
• country analysis and intercultural segmentation of foreign markets;
• negotiation in an intercultural context;
• development of innovative language and communication solutions for intercultural marketing in export and marketing companies;
• development of language and intercultural communication programmes;
• teaching and research in universities or higher secondary education;
• geopolitical and security analyses;
• consulting for public/private actors involved in global crisis scenarios;
• planning and management of activities aimed at preventing and combating organised crime and ideological or religious terrorism.