IFSH PhD Programme

By establishing a PhD programme, the IFSH has created a solid foundation on which it can continue to provide the intensive support it has always offered young researchers.

Students on the programme are supervised by experienced IFSH researchers. This ensures that they can complete their dissertation while attaining key qualifications for careers in areas related to the work of the IFSH – both in academia and elsewhere. Most doctoral students are affiliated to the University of Hamburg, but this is not a condition for participation in the PhD programme.

Admission requirements include an above-average science, social science or humanities degree at master’s level or higher, a good knowledge of the fundamentals of peace research, and a dissertation topic relevant to the activities of IFSH. Doctoral students participate in working groups and research projects and are assigned personal advisors according the topics of their dissertations. A programme director is responsible for the overall management of the programme.

The aim of the PhD programme is to facilitate both academic and practical, career-oriented learning by integrating young scholars into the research activities of the IFSH. Participation in regular doctoral seminars and weekly IFSH research workshops helps students to deepen and broaden their knowledge of theories and methodologies while gaining an insight into current problems in peace research. These seminars and workshops also provide doctoral students with an opportunity to present their work-in-progress to a forum of professional experts.

Doctoral students are funded from a variety of sources. The IFSH cannot currently accept new applications for scholarships within the scope of the programme that has been run by the German Foundation for Peace Research (DSF) since October 2002. Suitable candidates will however be provided with support in applying for scholarships.