PhD Course Sheet

Type of doctorate: National and Industrial Doctorate Programme

Duration: 3 years

Admission: selection through a public call for applications

Language: Italian/English

Teaching mode: Hybrid

Credits: 180 ECTS

Starting date: 1 October

Location: Bari

Department: Earth and Geoenvironmental Sciences

Doctoral programme website: https://www.uniba.it/it/dottorati/earth-processes

Coordinator: Prof. Roberto Sulpizio

Classification:

Supervisory body:

Descrizione del corso

The National Doctorate of Interest (DIN, XXXIX cycle) in “Earth Processes and Management of Resources and Risks for a Resilient Society and Territory” was established with the aim of strengthening research networks at the national level and promoting their participation in European and global strategic value chains. It addresses the broad themes of environmental, natural, and anthropogenic risk management, sustainable exploitation of resources, and the development of a resilient society.

A central element of the DIN is the study of “Processes”, understood as the set of natural phenomena and/or human activities that may have an impact on society. The doctorate is administratively based within a Department of Earth Sciences, internationally recognized for its expertise in the study of natural processes and related risks. The added value of the programme lies in the integration of this original core with expertise from Engineering, Social and Economic Sciences, as well as Physical, Chemical, and Medical Sciences.

Within this framework, the DIN contributes to the education of a new generation of fully interdisciplinary PhD graduates, strengthening their key competencies and their ability to transfer scientific and technological knowledge. Society will benefit from these activities through three main directions:
(1) advancement of scientific knowledge;
(2) technology transfer;
(3) development of communication strategies and techniques.

The advancement of scientific knowledge will enable a better understanding of environmental, natural, and anthropogenic processes underlying related hazards and risks. Technology transfer will generate economic benefits, also contributing to reducing losses caused by natural or human-induced events and improving the sustainable exploitation of resources. New communication strategies and techniques will strengthen the connection between research and end stakeholders, including society as a whole, Civil Protection operators, and public and private institutions.

The DIN educational programme is aligned with the new challenges outlined in the Italian National Research Plan (PNR) and the Horizon Europe 2030 programme. The adoption of such an integrated framework opens unprecedented opportunities for expert training, reducing information fragmentation and strengthening holistic management within a multidisciplinary context. In this way, the DIN aims to develop a common protocol for data exchange among different thematic areas in order to ensure the interoperability of the models developed both within and across disciplines.

Obiettivi del corso

The National Doctorate of Interest “Earth Processes and Management of Resources and Risks for a Resilient Society” represents the first scientific-area DIN established at the University of Bari. Its objective is to bring together, around a Department of Earth Sciences, different scientific communities in order to build a new generation of PhD graduates with a fully multidisciplinary education, spanning Earth Sciences, Engineering, and Social Sciences.

PhD graduates trained within the doctoral programme will constitute a new generation of researchers and professionals for universities, companies, and public and private institutions in Italy and abroad. The DIN has a three-year duration and includes attendance of advanced courses, technical-practical laboratories, seminars, and the development of an original research project, whose results will form the basis of the final written dissertation (PhD thesis).

The programme aims to provide highly qualified training in experimental research, also in collaboration with national and international research institutions and industrial partners both in Italy and abroad. The DIN aspires to cover all CUN disciplinary areas, ensuring a broad cultural and scientific offering. PhD candidates are strongly encouraged to carry out part of their training and research activities at Italian or foreign institutions selected on the basis of their excellence in the relevant research field.

The programme provides scientific and financial support to PhD candidates for presenting their research at national and international conferences and for publishing results in international journals. Supervisors and the Doctoral Board promote the expansion of candidates’ professional networks within the international scientific community.

Finally, the programme promotes the development of transferable soft skills in order to enhance employability and career opportunities.