Political Sciences

Joint doctoral studies with Vytautas Magnus University, Klaipėda University, General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania (coordinating institution: Vytautas Magnus University)

Doctoral studies in Political Sciences is carried out at Kaunas University of Technology in the field of Public Policy and Administration. The programme is implemented with the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, Klaipėda University and Vytautas Magnus University. Therefore, research topics can also fall into the fields proposed by the partner institutions, for example, political theory, political communication, comparative politics, and international relations.

Candidates to the doctoral studies in Political Sciences are admitted under procedure of open competition with a prerequisite of a master’s degree or equivalent qualification.

Doctoral studies develop individual research skills, creativity, widen the scope of theoretical knowledge and practical experience while solving the chosen research problems.

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Cycle	Third cycle
Language	Lithuanian, English
Duration	4 y.
Degree awarded	Doctor of Science

Partners

Vytautas Magnus University
Klaipėda University
The General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania

Research topics

Topic title	Possible scientific supervisors	Source of funding
The emerging global governance architectures for artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics	doc. dr. Ainius LAŠAS vyr.m.d. dr. Florian Caspar Rabitz	state-funded
The analysis of justice, democracy, the political, the politics of emancipation, progressive social movements, and feminism from the point of view of Critical Theory	prof. dr. Andrius Bielskis	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. Ever since the establishment of the Frankfurt School, Critical theory has become one of the theoretical paradigms of social sciences, including politics. Here Critical theory is understood in the broadest sense possible: it is an analysis and critique of today’s social, political, and economic status quo from the (normative) point of view of flourishing and emancipated humanity. In the context of the ecological crisis as the crisis of capitalism, as well as other challenges, it is essential to reflect and examine alternative conceptions of the political and the different alternative forms of politics. Against the background of war, the threats to European security, right-wing populism, and authoritarianism current forms of democracy and its multiple crises ought to be examined as well. Scholars interested in social movements, feminism, alternative conceptions and forms of politics are especially welcome

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Entry requirements

Minimum requirements

Persons with a Master’s Degree or equivalent degree of higher education may participate in an open competition for admission to doctoral studies.

Additional conditions:

1. Scientific research experience, participation in research.
2. Knowledge of foreign languages.

Application procedure

Mandatory documents for admission

Filled in application form
Official legalised Master’s diplomas or a higher education degree equivalents and academic transcripts (translated into English or Lithuanian and notary verified) and the certificate of recognition if higher education qualification acquired abroad (see academic recognition).
References by two academic referees or researchers from the Political sciences field of science
Curriculum Vitae
List of scientific publications (this list is submitted with full bibliographic description) and copies of scientific publications and also manuscripts of accepted publications (editorial board confirmation about publication acceptance must be attached)
Research project electronic copy in .doc or .docx format
Copy of ID card or passport
Copy of application fee payment (40 EUR for EU citizens, and 100 EUR for non-EU citizens)
Documents confirming the change of surnames, if not all submitted documents have the same surname

Selection criteria and their weighted coefficients

Research experience Research experience in ten-point grading system (publications, evaluated in points, according to current methodology for evaluation of research production, approved by Order of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania, or research paper and other research experience, and research qualifications, conformity of research publications and research experience with topic of doctoral studies	0,2
Research proposal	0,4
Weighted average of the marks of diploma appendix	0,2
Motivation interview	0,2

Doctoral School contacts