In 2019, a curriculum was developed as part of the study programme specifically tailored to doctoral students in the doctoral college, designed for an interdisciplinary, cross-faculty doctoral programme at the University of Graz. It facilitates greater disciplinary integration in terms of preparatory studies and topic selection, as well as innovative dissertation projects for which doctoral students in Graz can enrol – often in English.
 

Further information can be found on the page linked below: Interdisciplinary PhD programme Antiquity and Modernity in a European Context

The programme follows a clear structure: each cohort of PhD students from Graz and Erfurt begins the project period with an introductory session. The academic staff and collaborating researchers present the thematic background and key research areas. In addition, PhD students and postdocs outline individual research topics. Renowned visiting scholars provide further insights.

Introductory and closing conferences help doctoral students to share their critical conceptual and methodological knowledge. They make it easier for new members of the IGS to integrate into the ongoing research.

The opening conference marks the start of the study programme in terms of content and methodology. In addition, the organisers set up interdisciplinary tandem teams. Where possible, each team consists of one person from Graz and one from Erfurt. The tandems foster direct collaboration over a three-year period.

These teams complement the regular supervision provided by the teaching staff. They offer an additional level of collegial reflection and intensive personal collaboration. This includes regular online meetings, mutual support with writing, and a joint presentation at the final conference.

The colloquia form the core of the programme. Each PhD student presents their work once a semester. Candidates submit papers of no more than 20 pages. These are distributed a week in advance so that all participants have sufficient time to read them thoroughly. This allows the colloquium itself to be devoted to discussion.

Each colloquium is chaired by a participating researcher from the IGS, either a supervisor or a doctoral candidate. The tandem partners provide brief comments on the papers presented. Minutes are taken of all colloquia. This allows candidates to concentrate fully on the discussion and take on board important suggestions. At the same time, the minutes facilitate supervision, as progress is documented in full.

At each colloquium, the supervisor and a tandem partner from the partner institution are present. This strengthens cooperation between the two institutions.

Every member of the IGS must attend 15 academic events per semester. The final semester, which is devoted to the dissertation, is exempt from this requirement. In addition to the colloquia, academic events also include methodology modules, guest lectures and study group meetings.

The programme also comprises four modules on research methods. Two modules take place in Erfurt and two in Graz. PhD students undertake these modules between the 2nd and 5th semesters. The modules provide an interdisciplinary introduction to specific research methods. In Erfurt, the focus is on resonance theory and comparative cultural studies; in Graz, on classical studies and ritual theory.

The topics are developed in detail according to the doctoral students’ interests and research projects. Each seminar focuses on specific questions, methods or texts that tie in with most doctoral projects.

To form stable cohorts and promote academic exchange between the locations, all doctoral students spend the third and fourth semesters at the partner university. This enables them to network more effectively and benefit from the specific expertise of the researchers in Graz and Erfurt.