HCIAS Doctoral Training The HCIAS Structured Doctoral Program
The HCIAS Structured Doctoral Program provides a comprehensive framework for pursuing a doctorate in Ibero-American Studies. It is designed to enable young researchers to deepen their research, academic, and professional skills, foster scientific independence, and develop a unique academic profile over the course of three to four years. We partner with the Heidelberg Graduate Academy and the Heidelberg Center Latin America in Santiago de Chile to support our doctoral students in building networks and becoming part of a vibrant, international research community.
Doctoral Training at the HCIAS
The HCIAS is a central research institution that brings together a variety of disciplines from the social sciences, humanities, and environmental studies to conduct research, teach, and transfer knowledge on, with, and in Ibero-America. In order to train the next generation of experts on Ibero-America, the HCIAS provides exceptional young scholars with opportunities to develop their research in a collaborative and stimulating environment, helping them refine their academic profile early in their careers.
Within Heidelberg University, the HCIAS collaborates with the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Modern Languages and Literatures, the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences, and the Faculty of Philosophy. The professors and scholars involved in our center have backgrounds in sociology, political science, communication studies, sociolinguistics, anthropology, cultural studies, history, and geography. This rich interdisciplinary foundation supports the academic programs offered by the HCIAS.
Research focus
The Structured Doctoral Program at the HCIAS builds upon the center’s ongoing research, with the themes of the doctoral theses connecting to the overarching research program of “Spaces and Dynamics in Ibero-America.” In this context, Ibero-America is viewed as a macro-region with Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula at its core, while also including regions with strong cultural, political, or socioeconomic ties, such as the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Structure
The HCIAS doctoral program provides a structured framework for pursuing a doctorate in Ibero-American Studies. It is designed to help young researchers further their research, academic, and professional skills, foster scientific independence, and develop an individual academic profile over the course of three to four years.
The dissertation is the central component of the program. This also includes active participation in the HCIAS doctoral research colloquia, where participants present and discuss their work.
In addition to the dissertation, mandatory complementary program components provide research and academic core competencies through courses and other training formats, including active participation in scientific conferences and the publication of first research findings, usually in co-authorship. Optional complementary program components allow participants to further refine their academic and professional skills. These activities are tailored to the individual interests and needs of each doctoral student, in coordination with their dissertation supervisor and the program coordinator.
Supervision and mentoring
Doctoral program participants meet regularly with their supervisor(s) to discuss their progress, typically every 6–8 weeks, and actively contribute to the HCIAS doctoral research colloquia where they present and discuss their own work as well as that of their peers. Participants also have feedback meetings with the program coordinator, usually once per semester.
Network
Through its collaborations within Heidelberg University, as well as across Germany, Europe, and the Americas, the HCIAS offers doctoral students many opportunities to build academic relationships and become part of an international research community. In particular, we partner with the Heidelberg Center Latin America in Santiago de Chile, supporting our doctoral researchers in establishing academic connections in Latin America.
The program also includes the option to conduct part of their research abroad, enriching the doctoral project with an international perspective. We also welcome and enable bi-nationally supervised doctoral projects in collaboration with supervisors from universities abroad.
Application and admission
Your Profile
- Outstanding academic achievements and above-average M.A. degree or equivalent (at least 4 years of study) in area studies, humanities, or social sciences.
- A good knowledge of the theories and methods relevant to the main subject area of the project.
- Very good proficiency in English.
- Motivation to work on interdisciplinary issues in an international research environment.
When to apply
- Apply from March 1st to April 30th (to start between October and February)
- Apply from September 1st to October 31st (to start between April and July)
The Application and Registration Process
Application and registration as a participant in the HCIAS doctoral program is a three-phase process involving our center, different faculties, and the Graduate Academy.
- In PHASE 1, you apply for admission to the program at the HCIAS, the center which organizes the program.
- In PHASE 2, you apply for admission to the faculty which shall award the doctoral degree after the successful defence and publication of the thesis; doctoral researchers at the HCIAS must register with the faculty of their first thesis supervisor.
- In PHASE 3, you enrol as a doctoral student at Heidelberg University.
Interested in becoming a visiting doctoral student?
Answer a few questions by completing this form if you are interested in becoming a visiting doctoral student. As part of the application, you will also need to upload your academic CV and a short research proposal.
Links
Program coordination and contact
If you have any questions regarding the HCIAS doctoral program in Ibero-American Studies, please contact us. We also offer counseling online or by face-to-face appointment at the HCIAS in Heidelberg or the HCLA in Santiago de Chile. Do not hesitate to write!
Dr. Katrin Berty and Martha Rudka, HCIAS
doctorate(at)hcias.uni-heidelberg.de
Dr. Inés Recio, HCLA
info(at)hcla.uni-heidelberg.de