Doctoral Program in Culture Studies

Program Overview

The Doctoral Program in Culture Studies offers a four-year research program designed for graduates and professionals in the cultural sector. It combines high-level research training with practical experience through work placements and partnerships with cultural institutions. The program emphasizes original research, knowledge transfer, and international collaboration through the Lisbon Consortium, which provides access to a network of universities and cultural organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Doctoral Program in Culture Studies is a four-year research program in the Humanities and Social Sciences. It's designed for graduates and professionals in the cultural sector seeking advanced education within a strong theoretical framework. The program aims to bridge high-level research training with the needs of the cultural sector for highly qualified professionals. It's built on a "collaborative turn," using artistic practice and cultural management to inform theory and vice-versa. The program is also transnational, reflecting the diverse nature of culture studies. Methodological tools for cultural analysis are provided, encouraging students to examine overlooked or undervalued cultural phenomena and draw upon humanist traditions. The goal is to foster original, internationally relevant research and integrate students into multinational research teams. Knowledge transfer is emphasized, encouraging students to apply their work beyond academia. The program is part of the Lisbon Consortium, a network connecting academia and the art world through partnerships with various Lisbon cultural institutions (Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Cinemateca Portuguesa, Museu Nacional do Teatro e da Dança, Culturgest, Fundação Oriente, Centro Nacional de Cultura, Oceanário de Lisboa, Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua, Fundação EDP, Fundação Millennium BCP, Fundação Amélia de Mello, and Câmara Municipal de Lisboa).

Teaching:

The program utilizes a collaborative approach, drawing from artistic practice and cultural management to inform theoretical understanding and vice-versa. The Lisbon Consortium offers a Summer School for master's and PhD students, an annual Graduate Conference organized by PhD students, and a bi-annual online journal edited by doctoral students in Cultural Studies. Students can also apply to the PhD Net – European Doctoral Program in Literary and Cultural Studies, an international network involving several universities.

Other:

The Lisbon Consortium's activities for students include a Summer School, an annual Graduate Conference, and a bi-annual online journal. Students can apply to the PhD Net - European Doctoral Program in Literary and Cultural Studies, an international network. A testimonial from Matthew Mason, an English Professor, recommends the Lisbon Consortium for those seeking arts and/or culture-based research in an international environment. Related news mentions a "Conversation Pieces" cycle and a conference on Culture and Artificial Intelligence involving Culture Studies doctoral students.