Call for Applications to the Joint Doctorate (PHD) in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-level Governance

In agreement with The University of Padova, the University of Zagreb – Faculty of Law, and the University of Western Sydney

DEADLINE

The deadline for this call for applications is 20 July 2020

SUBJECT OF THE CALL

For the 2020/2021 academic year the University of Nicosia publishes the Selection Announcement for admission to the Joint Doctorate (PhD) in Human Rights, Society, And Multi-Level Governance in agreement with the University of Padova, the University of Zagreb, and the University of Western Sydney.

This call refers to one position with a full tuition scholarship and one position without a scholarship. Applicants must indicate in their application package whether they apply to either of the two or both positions.

The Joint PhD Degree in “Human Rights, Society, and Multi-level Governance” is a three-year, interdisciplinary, joint academic programme managed by Universities in Australia, Croatia, Cyprus, and Italy where it is coordinated by the University of Padova.

The joint degree awarded will be a Dottorato di Ricerca in Italy, a Doktorat iz Društvenih Znanosti in Croatia, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Australia and in Cyprus.

The doctorate aims at forming researchers with a multi/interdisciplinary profile. The programme includes teaching, research and training in the area of human rights studies, covering the various legal, political, social, philosophical and economic approaches and methodologies, and different geographical areas.

The language of the programme is English. Students will undertake research, take courses and do internships at the University of first enrolment (Home University), and at one or more of the other partner Universities (Host Universities), where they have to spend at least one semester.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

• Academic Qualifications: An accredited Bachelor’s degree in Law, Politics, International Relations, European Studies, Public Administration or a related field (LLB, BA, BSc or equivalent) in addition to an accredited Master’s degree in Law, Politics, International Relations, European Studies, Public Administration or a related field (LLM, MA, MSc or equivalent). Copies of degrees awarded, including a high-school leaving certificate, must be submitted as part of a complete application package.
• Application Form: Applicants must submit an application form for admission and enrolment to the programme. The application form requests general information about the applicant, their qualifications, and relevant experience. In addition to the academic requirements specified in this call, the completion of the application form requires the submission of: a scan of the applicant’s passport and a passport photo.
• Curriculum Vitae: a complete CV specifying all academic and professional background and activities.
• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must obtain two recommendation letters from individuals who have known the applicant in an educational and/or professional environment. At least one of the recommendation letters must be from an academic institution where the applicant has studied previously.
• English Language Proficiency: Certification of TOEFL Scores of at least 600 (paper-based test), 250 (computer-based test) or 100 (internet-based test) or an IELTS Score of at least 7. For graduates of English-speaking Universities, supplementary proof of English language proficiency is not a requirement.
• Publications: Previous theses/dissertations and any published work of academic relevance (if any).
• Initial Research Proposal: An initial proposal (1,500 – 3,000 words) outlining the proposed research project. In more detail, the research proposal should consist of the following:
  1. Title
  2. Literature review (brief)
  3. Identifications of gaps in existing literature and rationale for proposed research
  4. Aims and objectives
  5. Research hypotheses
  6. Research methodology
  7. Ethical Considerations (if applicable)
  8. Expected output
  9. Time plan for completion
  10. References
• Statement of Purpose: Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive outline highlighting their academic and individual competencies and state why they believe they are suitable for admission to the Programme, as well as their reflections regarding the expectations and value of the Programme for their personal advancement and career development.
• Individual Interviews: The Committee will carry out a pre-selection on the basis of the academic qualifications presented by the candidate. Candidates who pass the pre-selection phase will be invited to an individual interview prior to final selection. Candidates may take the interview remotely using videoconferencing equipment such as Skype. The Department Doctoral Programme Committee, having examined the applicant’s suitability against the entry criteria, having reviewed the application and interviewed the applicant, will determine his or her suitability and the appropriateness of their initial proposal.
• In view of the limited number of applicants to be admitted to the programme, the Department Doctoral Programme Committee will decide on the basis of merit and by evaluating specific criteria who are the most suitable candidates to be admitted to the programme. The Committee will exercise its judgment, taking into account the overall quality, merit and feasibleness of the research proposal, the quality of the prior research work of the candidate and the candidate’s academic and other relevant qualifications as included in the curriculum vitae and the applicant’s replies and performance during the individual interview.
• In assessing the research proposal, the Committee will also examine the extent to which it corresponds with the objectives of the PhD programme as described in Annex 1 of the Joint PhD Agreement, i.e. producing researchers with a multi/interdisciplinary profile, mainly in the fields of law, politics, economics and sociology, where both theoretical dimensions and empirical analyses are given relevance in the overall approach to be embraced. The proposal should aim to address the multi-level dimensions of human rights implementation policies, focusing on the most innovative and critical developments, so as to critically assess the effectiveness and consistency of doctrines and practices and their impact. Focus should be on the global dimension; the European regional context as well as other regional systems; the nation-wide dimensions, preferably with a comparative approach; or the local community actors and dynamics. Institutions and private actors’ roles can be addressed. The proposal should aim to reflect the subjects addressed in the human rights instruments, as well as the practice that comes along with their implementation.
• The decision to admit the selected students to the programme is subject to the approval by the Academic Board of the programme.

 APPLICATION FORM

The application form to participate in the selection process may only be submitted using the dedicated online procedure, by logging in to your account at: http://apply.unic.ac.cy/student-home.html.

Application forms must be submitted no later than 13.00 (EET) on the announced deadline date of 20 July 2020.

ENROLMENT AND COURSE START DATES

Successful candidates must enroll by 25 September 2020 and the doctoral programme will begin on 28 September 2020.

OBLIGATIONS OF PHD STUDENTS

Admission to the programme represents a full-time, exclusive commitment.

The University offers one position with a full scholarship whereby PhD students who are admitted are exempted from university tuition fees, and one position without scholarship which is subject to the general financial obligations of doctoral students at the University of Nicosia. Applicants must indicate in their application package whether they apply to either of the two or both positions. Information on these financial obligations may be found at: https://www.unic.ac.cy/study/admissions/financial-information.

PhD students are obliged to carry out the activities relating to their approved research plan and to present a report on the activities and research carried out to the competent body of the Course at the end of each year, as well as the PhD thesis, complete with original contributions, at the end of the course. Theses must be submitted in accordance with the procedures established in the University Regulations for PhD studies.

The programme includes a mobility requirement whereby students must spend at least one semester at one or more partner universities during their studies. The choice of mobility placement and necessary arrangements is subject to the evaluation and approval of the Committee as well as the Academic Board of the programme.

After evaluating the activities carried out by the PhD student, the competent body of the Course will deliberate whether to admit the PhD student to the next year of the course. With a substantiated decision, the Doctoral Board may also propose to the Rector that the student be excluded from continuing the Course.

OBTAINING THE ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

The final examination will consist in an interview on the doctoral thesis.

Following the successful completion of the final examination, the doctoral degree in “Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance” will be awarded. The certificate confirming the award of the joint doctoral degree will bear the logos of the Partner Universities and it will include the signatures of the respective legal representatives according to the rules of each University.

ASSOCIATED FACULTY MEMBERS AND RESEARCH AREAS

Prof. Achilles Emilianides
Public and European Law, Comparative Law, Human Rights

Prof. Nestor Courakis
Criminal Law/Human Rights, Social Justice

Prof. Andreas Theophanous
Economic Policy, Politics and Society

Assoc. Prof. Christina Ioannou
European Politics, European Integration, Social Policy and Rights

Assoc. Prof. Giorgos Kentas
Governance, Politics and Social Policy

Assoc. Prof. Dimitra Sorvatzioti
Criminal Law/Human Rights, Social Justice

Assoc. Prof. Constantinos Stratilatis
Public Law, Human Rights

Assoc. Prof. Christos Papastylianos
Public Law, Human Rights

Assist. Prof. Odysseas Christou
Governance and Politics, Social Policy and Rights

Assist. Prof. Constantinos Adamides
Securitization

Assist. Prof. Michalis Kontos
International relations, international law

Dr. Stergios Mitas
Legal Philosophy and Methodology, Human Rights

Dr. Vagia Polyzoidou
Criminal Law