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Type

PhD Programme

Access mode

Programmed

Length

3 years

Location

Modena

Language

Italian

Department

Marco Biagi Department of Economics

Course presentation (FOR PhD course/Specialisation school ONLY)

The PhD Program in Humanities, Technology and Society aligns with the European Commission's guidelines on ensuring that the use of new digital technologies for the benefit of cultural, artistic, social, environmental, and economic heritage is informed by principles of sustainability, social inclusion, and human-centricity. It is crucial that the development and adoption processes of new technologies, as well as the digitalization of social relations (citizenship, work, market, etc.), are managed through a reflective approach capable of critically considering their premises and implications. If the goal of using new technologies is to enhance collective well-being and social, economic, and environmental sustainability, then the current and growing techno-digital infrastructure of businesses, cultural institutions, public administration, the third sector, and the territory in general, must be guided by socio-economic and legal competencies and, importantly, rest on a robust humanistic and ethical foundation. Therefore, it is necessary to intervene through advanced education, continuous training, and lifelong learning, supporting the acquisition and development of new skills in frontier areas that require the mastery of theories, methods, and techniques from various disciplines.

In this sense, the Course leverages the multidisciplinary expertise, cultural resources, research experiences, and advanced training available at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, enriched by the valuable humanistic competencies developed by partner cultural institutions—the Fondazione Collegio San Carlo di Modena and the Almo Collegio Borromeo di Pavia—throughout their long and prestigious histories.

The educational pathway, innovative in content and method, and with an international outlook, integrates theoretical and methodological competencies from the humanities and social sciences, combines them with technological and computational knowledge, and orients them towards both frontier and current areas and problems.

The educational pathway, conceived as an incubator of critical thinking and inspired in every aspect by a logic of interdisciplinary hybridization, encompasses the humanities (history, philosophy, philology, book science, etc.), socio-economic disciplines (economics, sociology, law, organizational science, management, etc.), and computer science. It will be enriched by a wide range of conferences, seminars, and workshops in the doctoral program's disciplinary areas, with the aim of presenting the doctoral candidates with themes and research dimensions to engage with. Additionally, stays abroad will be encouraged to promote in-depth study and scientific exchange at an international level.

Info

Department: Marco Biagi Department of Economics
Didactic method: PRESENCE

More information

Italian second cycle master's degree (“Laurea Magistrale”, under D.M. 270/04 or “Laurea Specialistica”, under D.M. 509/99) or Italian degree obtained prior to D.M. 509/99 (the previous Italian regulations) or Second cycle Master's degree obtained abroad, equivalent to the above-mentioned Italian degrees and recognized as suitable for the admission to PhD program.
Further information available in the Call.

Due to profound transformations experienced by contemporary societies, the PhD Program aims to train professionals who, on one hand, possess the capabilities to conduct high-value scientific and cultural research both independently and in teams, including transnational collaborations; and on the other hand, are able to integrate the depth and solidity of conceptual reflection derived from the humanities and social sciences with the sustainability and adaptability required by technological progress and the evolving labor market.

The potential career paths for graduates of the doctoral program include traditional routes such as research, teaching, publishing, and journalism within the scientific-disciplinary areas represented in the faculty. Additionally, the program emphasizes multidisciplinarity and the interaction of various fields of knowledge, aiming to equip graduates with the techniques, skills, and methods necessary to secure positions in the public or private sectors of the new knowledge economy. Examples of such positions include:
(a) Designing and managing cultural activities and functions for museums, libraries, foundations, public administration, enterprises, and third-sector associations;
(b) Providing consultancy services to public and private entities in the field of cultural heritage conservation and enhancement, including through digital systems and new technologies;
(c) Building or strengthening networks between public or private institutions aimed at defining strategic frameworks;
(d) Supporting and promoting research results and business innovation both formally and informally;
(e) Designing and proposing training programs for teachers, educators, officials, and corporate staff;
(f) Leading the digital transition process, with attention to ethical considerations and the principles of sustainability, inclusion, and human-centricity.