PhD studies in Communication and Information

PhD studies in Communication and Information

The Doctoral Program in Communication and Information Studies organized at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) in Kaunas (Lithuania) aims to address the pressing issues in the contemporary and dynamically evolving field of media and communications, which is shaped by politico-economic, socio-cultural, and technologic factors, and explores media infused societal transformations and communicative impact on individual, groups, and social dimensions.

Research themes within the Program are characterized by key defining concepts, such as relevance, openness, data-rich and knowledge-informed analysis. Ethics, collaboration, multidisciplinary approaches, and societal impact are defining features of the knowledge creation process.

The Doctoral Program comprises 30 ECTS credits and includes at least 4 courses during the first 2 years of studies. It is designed to include program courses and individual study and research activities, among which are participation in research projects and academic tasks, consultations, and seminar-type work, joining professional associations and taking part in internships.

Upon the completion of the Doctoral Program, graduates will possess the following abilities and academic capacities:

• Advance academic leadership by promoting innovations in research and analysis of
  media and communications on national and international levels.
• Design, methodologically develop, and test innovative conceptual approaches focused
  on solving of a wide spectrum of societal questions, risks, and harms.
• Expand multidisciplinary and collaborative forms of stakeholder partnerships building,
  research, analysis, and knowledge-informed media policy formation.

Based on artes liberales model, Vytautas Magnus University provides favorable educational environment for doctoral students to cultivate their theoretical and methodological expertise in media and communication, to conduct independent research, to participate in national and international research networks, as well as to engage into teaching and training activities.

Entry requirements and call for applications are announced in April-May each year, whereas admissions committee convenes in late June.