Research Doctorate in Mind and Technologies in the Digital Society

Corse objectives

The Doctorate path aims at deepening theoretical models, research methodologies and applicative tools in specific disciplinary frameworks, taking into account and using a cross-field approach to social evolution processes connected to the use of digital technologies.
More specifically, the course allows developing:

• A robust training on research paradigms that are specific to the study of psychological and social processes in the light of the latest scientific-technological developments;
• Advanced methodological competences for analyzing cognitive, emotional and social processes in technology-mediated interactions;
• Research skills applied to the design of technologies aimed at fostering wellbeing, culture and social coexistence;
• Research competences applied to the prevention of risks connected to a problematical use of the technologies.

Given the interdisciplinary nature of the PhD, each doctoral student is supported, during his training and research path, by two supervisors: one belonging to field of psychological disciplines and one belonging to one of the other fields that are represented in the Doctorate Commission.
The training programs are conceived on individual basis, with a section common to all doctoral students and some courses at choice, designed based on the suggestions of the doctoral students and of their supervisors, taking into account entry-level skills, the overall objectives of the Doctorate course and the specificity of the thesis’ research issues.

Research strands

The doctorate course in Mind and Technologies in the Digital Society offers an advanced interdisciplinary training aimed at research work on psychological and social events emerging from technology-mediated interactions.

The main research strands approved by the Professors’ Commission of the Doctorate deal with:

• Characters of the use of technologies over lifetime
• Designing cognitive interfaces and mediated interaction environments
• Models and methods of analysis of the digital ecosystems
• Education and technologies
• Assistive technologies, accessibility and integration
• Civil responsibility, deviances and online assaults
• Awkward uses of technologies
• Culture and identity in the Digital society

Envisaged employment and professional prospects

The Doctorate Course aims at training professionals capable of conducting highly qualified research works aimed at studying the mind in connection with technological and social changes. More specifically, the research doctors possess interdisciplinary skills and competences to conduct high-profile research work in national and international universities and research institutes. They will also be able to work in public and private boards interested in technological design and in innovating professional practices.

More specifically, among the possible professional prospects of the research doctors in Italy and abroad there will be:

• Research grant holders, post-doc scientists benefitting from a grant, researchers in Italian and foreign universities;
• Highly-qualified staff in research and educational institutes;
• Professionals working in boards operating in educational, organizational and socio-assistance sectors;
• Professionals working in boards operating in cultural and socio-communication sectors;
• Managerial roles in highly-innovative multinational business companies; 
• Professionals working in the management and enhancement of interdisciplinary research in highly-innovative sectors;
• Professionals in technological design in educational, social and organizational sectors;
• Consultants for businesses working in the design of technologies and analysis of interactions with and through technologies
• Expert consultants for citizens.

Admission requirements

Applicants, with no limitations of age and citizenship, possessing, on the competition expiry date, a degree (as per previous regulations) or a specializing and/or master-level degree (as per new regulations) or an equivalent academic title earned abroad and acknowledged in Italy can be admitted to the doctorate course. The doctorate commission checks the eligibility of the foreign title in accordance with the laws currently in force in Italy and in the Country in which the title was issued and in accordance with of the treaties and international agreements regarding titles acknowledgement for the continuation of studies.

Selection procedure

The admission to the courses takes place further to a public selection, based on the assessment of titles, a written exam/project and on an oral exam aimed at verifying the applicant’s aptitude to interdisciplinary scientific research characterized by a high level of innovation. The application must be submitted within the established deadlines and according to the modes specified in the Call.

The assessment of the titles (20 score maximum) will take place based on the criteria specified in the enclosed table.

The written exam/project consists in preparing a research project on a topic related to the themes of the PhD (40 score maximum). For foreign citizens the project will written in the English language. The assessment of the research project will be made based on the criteria specified in the enclosed table.

The oral exam envisages the assessment of the skills demonstrated in presenting one’s own research project, in arguing the use of an interdisciplinary approach, in clearly presenting one’s own motivations with respect to the project relevance and supply convincing reasons supporting the hypotheses formulated in the written exam. The Italian applicants will take the oral exam in Italian and part of the interview will be made in English in order to assess their language skills. Foreign citizens will make the interview wholly in English.

The admission to the following exams, their performance, modes of publication of the results and the related communications are established by the University’s Doctorate Regulations.

Doctoral student’s supervisors

Given the interdisciplinary nature of the PhD, each doctoral student is supported, during his training and research path, by two supervisors: one belonging to field of psychological disciplines and one belonging to one of the other fields that are represented in the Doctorate Commission.

The training programs are conceived on individual basis, with a section common to all doctoral students and some courses at choice, designed based on the suggestions of the doctoral students and of their supervisors, taking into account entry-level skills, the overall objectives of the Doctorate course and the specificity of the thesis’ research issues.

The Doctorate’s course is governed by the University’s Doctorate Regulations and by the internal Regulations.

Training and research program

In accordance with the procedure of establishment of the Doctorate, accepted by the ANVUR followed by its relative accreditation, the study program of the PhD envisages training and research activities equivalent to 180 ECTS credits in the three-year period. The study programs are set on an individual basis for each student and each course is designed based on a modular structure and it is delivered in function of the doctoral students’ specific needs who, due to the interdisciplinary character of the PhD, have diversified experience and educational backgrounds and, consequently, need customized learning paths and final assessments in order to specialize their advanced knowledge according to the research strands of the PhD.

The study program includes: 5 courses, common for all doctoral students for a total amount of 30 ECTS credits, having the following disciplinary structuring: Advanced Cognitive Processes (8 ECTS credits), Methodologies for Psychosocial Research (5 ECTS credits), Data Analytics (8 ECTS credits), Information Technologies and Complex Systems (4 ECTS credits), Basics of Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning (5 ECTS credits).

Additionally, each doctoral student follows 3 courses choosing them among the University’s full educational offer (for a total amount of 18 ECTS credits) allowing him to acquire specific knowledge and expertise in disciplinary fields that are functional to his research project. Finally, each doctoral student carries on and/or participate in a range of seminar activities and conferences (for a total amount of 4 ECTS credits).

This education offer is completed by the performance of specific research activities agreed on with the supervisors and by the publication of mid-term scientific results (for a total amount of 38 ECTS credits) and the realization of the project of final Doctorate’s Thesis (90 ECTS credits).

The performance of the training activities is concentrated in the first year, with the possibility of extending them to the second year. The admission to the following year of PhD is assessed by the Commission based on a report of the student and of the supervisors certifying the performance of the research activities, course attendance, seminar attendance etc. for a total amount of 45 ECTS credits, at least, per year.

Given the interdisciplinary character of the PhD, in order to allow for the highest degree of flexibility and constant updating and assuring that choice of the courses comprised in the individual study program allow for deepening knowledge in the various fields of psychology in general and of the individual research projects of the doctoral students, in particular, the Commission is supported by a Teaching Activities Commission including the Coordinator of the PhD and a representative for each one of the disciplinary areas comprised in the Commission.