PhD in Area Studies at IMS
Our PhD program in Area Studies invites researchers analyzing the contemporary social, political, economic, and media landscapes shaping North America, Europe, and Eurasia. We bridge the major social sciences, including political science, international relations, sociology, economics, media studies, and law, to deliver a truly interdisciplinary doctoral experience. The program is delivered by the Institute of International Studies (IMS), Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, which provides a broad spectrum of disciplinary and territorial knowledge that ensures that you make as much as possible from your PhD studies. Members of our Institute are experts in their field, advising public institutions, participating in international research consortia, and regularly appearing in the media. You will become a member of a cohesive body of students from around the world. The multicultural environment allows students to live and study alongside different cultures and world views.
Why do your PhD in Area Studies with us?
1. Research Topic of Your Choice
Within the Area Studies programme, you can choose your own research topic—one that genuinely interests and fulfils you. A topic that you believe will be valuable not only for your personal career development, but also for the wider academic community and society as a whole. We offer consultations even before you submit your PhD application. This means we will be happy to help you select the right topic and properly structure your research project, in line with the IMS research profile and its current research activities.
2. Expert Supervision and Mentorship
We will support you in finding a suitable supervisor whose expertise closely aligns with your research. Moreover, you will benefit from a dual-mentorship model: alongside a dedicated supervisor from the IMS, you will be paired with a specialized consultant from the IMS or a partner global research institution. This tailored support team guides your dissertation research and mentors you throughout your journey, helping you chart the ideal trajectory for your academic and professional career. Beyond this core team, you will also regularly discuss your research with wider faculty across our university and partner institutions, as well as with your fellow doctoral candidates.
3. Flexible Structure and Timeline
The programme offers both full-time and combined (part-time) formats, with a standard duration of 4 years for both. Each student’s academic obligations and timeline are defined in an Individual Study Plan (ISP) written by the students themselves, which provides them with the flexibility to decide their own pace. Even though the programme is centred on the dissertation thesis, the students take several methodological courses in the first and second years of their study to help them guide their research.
4. Active Integration into the Departments and Research Centres of the Institute
To make sure that our PhD students do not do their research in isolation, we provide them with academic support, mentorship, and opportunities to contribute actively to the work of the institution. You will become part of one of our departments depending on your geographical and thematic focus. You will have an opportunity to participate in everyday academic activities so that you are prepared to take up an academic job after graduation. In addition, you will be involved in at least one of our specialized research centers. Currently, there are eight research centers operating at IMS, covering various cutting-edge fields including small states, memory studies, democracy, war and peace, and diplomacy. More information about the research centers can be found on the IMS website.
As full members of the research centers, PhD students are integrated into the academic life of the Institute through roundtables, regular research discussions, including the discussion and feedback round for their draft articles, and collaborative projects with both the IMS staff and other PhD students. You are free to choose which research center(s) you want to be a part of according to your research interests.
5. Academic and Research Partnerships
The program is supported by top experts, regularly returning foreign professors, and the Institute of International Relations Prague (IIR, a premier research organization of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which offers mentoring, consulting, and participation in internal research seminars). Through the IIR, students benefit from exclusive mentoring, policy consulting opportunities, and access to internal state-level research seminars. Being a part of the IMS team will also provide you with an opportunity to have research stays at our partner institutions abroad, participate in academic workshops within international partnerships, and use the guidance and mentorship of not only the IMS staff but also visiting professors.
6. Funding for International Conferences
We believe in the quality of our PhD students’ research and their ability to represent the IMS in the global academic community. Therefore, IMS provides dedicated financial support to PhD students whose papers are accepted at an international conference. The support usually covers conference registration fees and travel expenses, helping the students build a global academic footprint and expand their international network. Our PhD students have been participating and presenting their research not only in Europe but also across the world in conferences of internationally recognized research associations.
7. Internships and Research Stays Abroad
International mobility is considered an integral part of doctoral education at IMS. Students are encouraged to undertake research stays, internships, and fieldwork abroad, mostly funded through various available programs, which play a key role in the development of their dissertation projects. These opportunities typically range from one to twelve months, depending on the specific program, the availability of funding, and the requirements of the host institution. Host institutions for international internships, research stays, and essential field trips abroad are chosen by the students themselves, tailored directly to their dissertation needs. Your supervisor and mentors are ready to support you when looking for a host institution among our partner universities.
8. Publishing in Peer-Reviewed Journals
Our program requirements encourage the students to publish at least one research article in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal before the dissertation defence. To make sure you fulfil the requirement, you will be supported by your supervisor, consultant, and the affiliated research center through regular consultations and feedback. You may receive financial rewards for outstanding publications, depending on the quality of the article and the impact factor of the journal. All the research articles by PhD students are demonstrated in the student’s personal public page on the IMS website.
9. Opportunity to Gain Teaching Experience
As a PhD student, you can also participate in teaching undergraduate and graduate students, which allows you to gain teaching skills and add teaching experience to your portfolio. Alongside the support of your department and supervisor, you can also participate in the relevant workshops and consultations of the Faculty’s Teaching and Learning Center to boost your teaching skills.
10. Comprehensive Support and Community Integration
We understand that transitioning into a doctoral program, especially as an international student, comes with its challenges. To support you through such a transition, our Centre for Doctoral Studies provides practical guidance and assistance throughout your studies as your first go-to people. Meanwhile, our Coordinator of English-language programs offers cultural/integration support to adapt to social life here by organizing various social activities and trips to different parts of Czechia.
