“There is nothing so practical as a good theory.” (Lewin, 1943)

When Kurt Lewin proposed that “there is nothing so practical as a good theory,” he intended to encourage the development of the kind of theory that can be used for the solution of social problems. This can best be accomplished by close cooperation between the theorist and the practitioner, since it is through such cooperation that the theorist is kept in close contact with social reality and the practitioner gains a deeper understanding of the nature of the social problems that confront him. (Cartwright, 1978)

The PhD Course in Labour, Development and Innovation, offered by the Department of Economics “Marco Biagi” and managed in close collaboration with the Marco Biagi Foundation, is one of the components of the E4E Doctoral School (Engineering for Economics – Economics for Engineering).

The aim of the Course is to train new highly qualified professionals, capable of combining research activity with the ability to develop innovative projects through methods and tools capable of generating an impact on the territory, both nationally and internationally.

The program aims to train professionals capable of conducting research and innovation in universities, national and international research centres, and other public and private institutions, including companies, third sector entities, employers’ associations, and national and international trade unions.
Doctoral candidates will acquire theoretical and methodological expertise in the fields of law, business and management, and economics, enabling them to understand and govern processes of transformation and development in the world of work, in businesses (industrial, service-based, or public), institutions, and local areas, from the perspective of sustainable and inclusive innovation.

The programme’s research and training approach is characterised by:
1. Multidisciplinarity, use of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and a comparative and international analytical perspective;
2. Strong integration with the local production system and socio-economic stakeholders.

The research areas are aligned with the major themes of research and innovation identified in Horizon Europe and the Italian National Research Programme 2021–2027.

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Call for applications

July 26th, 1:00 pm (Italian time)

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