This is a joint doctoral programme together with Vytautas Magnus University (the coordinating institution), the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania and Klaipėda University. The programme focuses on developing a deep understanding of public policy, administration and political processes, as well as applying advanced research methods. The programme develops independent research skills, critical thinking, and the competencies essential for policymaking and improving the public sector.
These studies prepare political science researchers to analyse public policy and administration processes in national and international contexts. The studies provide insights into global political and governance challenges, developing the skills needed to create applicable solutions at multiple levels.
Graduates of the Political Sciences PhD programme can pursue careers in academia, as well as in the public and private sectors, where they can engage in policy analysis, strategic planning or consultancy. These studies equip students with the skills needed to address complex governance and political challenges at multiple levels.
Doctoral students have the opportunity to pursue a double degree programme with the University of Bologna, receive the Doctor Europaeus Certificate and present their research findings at science outreach events. They can also participate in paid project work and develop their science communication, data management and academic writing skills in English.
There are various financial opportunities available to doctoral students, including study scholarships, support for conducting and presenting research results at international conferences, funded research placements at overseas institutions, and additional scholarships for high academic performance and scientific activity.
| Topic title | Possible scientific supervisors | Source of funding | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparative research in risk, security and societal resilience |
prof. dr. Aistė Balžekienė »
prof. dr. Audronė Telešienė » |
state-funded |
|
| Centralized vs. decentralized anti-corruption policies: A comparative analysis across countries |
prof. dr. Eglė Vaidelytė
|
state-funded |
|
| Democracy and governance |
prof. dr. Vaidas Morkevičius »
|
state-funded |
Research Topic Summary.Democracy, as a political form of governance, faces many challenges in both old and new democracies. The quality of democratic processes is a subject of constant monitoring by political scientists. Recent political processes in many democratic countries pose serious challenges to multi-party systems, trust in the political systems themselves and assessments of their effectiveness. Dissatisfaction with nation-states and especially supranational organizations is growing, and the NATO and European Union is experiencing an identity and institutional crisis. Most often, citizens' dissatisfaction is caused by bureaucracy, inefficiency and/or corruption in the public sector. In addition, societies themselves are changing as they increasingly are influenced by mediatization processes, which in turn begin to affect political processes. On the other hand, in modern democracies, attempts are being made to implement new models of public governance that emphasize the participation of citizens and interest organizations, transparency, accountability and other ethical values, inter-institutional cooperation between government institutions and the impact of public policy on the development of the welfare state. Dissertation projects could include studies that explore political attitudes, values and behavior, political and social participation, political parties and political elites, political institutions, interest organizations, mediatization of politics and public life, new forms and models of political communication, actors, processes and instruments of public governance. They could be based on the analysis of data from international longitudinal social surveys. These studies allow comparative analyses both over time and across countries. Thus, results of these analyses could provide more complete understanding of societal and political trends. Another source of data could be the so-called “big data”, which are the product of communication of citizens and politicians in various public spaces, especially, on the Internet and social media. Politics is increasingly moving to social media, therefore, the behavior of the political community and the attitudes expressed in the social media are an important part of the understanding of modern political processes. At least one defended dissertation is expected. |
| Relationship dynamics between responsibility and resilience in public governance under complexity |
prof. dr. Raminta Pučėtaitė »
|
state-funded |
|
| Political culture, societal vulnerabilities and democracy |
doc. dr. Ainius Lašas »
|
state-funded |
| Module name | Credits | Method of organisation |
|---|
| Methodolody and Research Methods in Politics | 8 | |
| Specialized Seminar of Methodology and Research in Political Science | 4 |
| Module name | Credits | Method of organisation |
|---|
| Contemporary Analytical Political Philosophy | 6 | |
| Contemporary Continental Political Philosophy | 6 | |
| Mediatization of Politics | 6 | |
| Modeling of Political Systems | 6 | |
| Nationalism and Politics | 6 | |
| New Media an Political Participation | 6 | |
| Political Communication Analysis | 6 | |
| Political Development of post-Soviet States | 6 | |
| Political System of the European Union | 6 | |
| Public Policy and Public Governance Research | 6 | |
| Public Policy of the European Union | 6 | |
| Security Studies After the Cold War | 6 | |
| Theoretical Background of Foreign Policy Analysis | 6 | |
| Theories of International Relations | 6 |
| Module name | Credits | Method of organisation |
|---|
| Academic and Technical Research Writing | 1 | Blended learning |
| Design Thinking in Research | 2 | On-campus learning |
| Digital Support and Tools for Research Writing and Publication | 2 | Blended learning |
| Research Data Management | 1 | On-campus learning |
| Research Ethics | 1 | On-campus learning |
| Research Project Grant Management | 2 | Blended learning |
| Science Communication for the Public | 1 | Distance learning |
| Systematic Literature Review | 1 | Blended learning |
KTU impressed me with its culture of nurturing doctoral students, as well as its consistent focus on data and methods. Personally, KTU gave me the opportunity to combine academic work with professional activities and develop an interest in public policy analysis. This helped me deepen my theoretical knowledge and conduct research directly related to current social issues, ranging from civic resilience to the quality of public policy.
I am glad I chose to study at KTU, as it has a practical approach and a contemporary environment. I really appreciate the involvement of the lecturers and the opportunities to combine my studies with other activities. KTU has helped me to establish valuable connections, given me confidence in my professional growth, and helped me to discover new ideas for developing my future career.
In Lithuania, the duration of doctoral studies is four years (full-time). During this period, students prepare a dissertation (or art project), conduct research, write scientific articles, participate in conferences, and engage in various project activities.
The main admission to KTU PhD studies takes place in August/September. Exact admission dates can be found in the section “Dates and Deadlines”.
PhD students receive a scholarship calculated based on the state-established Basic Social Benefit (BSI). In the first year of studies, the scholarship amounts to 19.0 BSI per month, while second, third and fourth-year doctoral students receive 22.0 BSI per month.
In 2026, the monthly scholarship for first-year students is 1,406 EUR, and for second to fourth year doctoral students it is 1,628 EUR per month.
Doctoral School
Studentų g. 50, 51368 Kaunas
email phd@ktu.lt
Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities
I Chamber
A. Mickevičiaus St. 37, LT- 44244 Kaunas
email shmmf@ktu.lt
virtual tour 
