Doctoral Training Program

General information

If you are starting a PhD at our faculty, you are automatically enrolled in the faculty’s doctoral training programme, regardless of your funding or status. Only students enrolled in a joint or interdisciplinary PhD (joint PhD) may be exempt.

The PhD training programme provides an inspiring environment in which you strengthen your research skills and continue to grow professionally and personally.

We focus on skill-building, connection within our research community, and the well-being of our PhD researchers — to help you get the most out of your PhD experience.

The programme consists of five components:

• PhD kick-off

• Faculty Doctoral Committee

• Training modules

• Presentations

• Publication

PhD kick-off

The PhD kick-off provides new researchers with all the essential information they need to start their PhD journey well-prepared: from funding and supervision to doctoral training, publication policies and well-being.

It’s also a great opportunity to meet fellow researchers from day one and start building your academic network.

Faculty Doctoral Committee

At the start of your PhD, you are expected to write research plan. This plan will be submitted to the Faculty Doctoral Committee (FDC). Together with your supervisor, you’ll discuss your proposal with the committee, which then advises the Faculty Board on whether to grant admission to the PhD.

Training modules

The programme includes a number of compulsory modules, complemented by elective sessions of your choice.

Compulsory modules

• Enjoying Your PhD Journey
  This session supports you in dealing resiliently with the challenges of a PhD and creates space to share experiences and doubts with peers.

• Key Research Tools
  Get to know useful research tools – from UGent apps to AI applications – that can make your research process simpler and more efficient.

• Research Integrity
  Learn to reflect critically on research conduct, both your own and others’, forming a foundation for credible and responsible research.

• Data Management
  Learn how to manage your research data safely, in a structured and reusable way – during your project and beyond.

Elective modules (minimum 5 hours)

• Legal Research Methods
  An introduction to various approaches in legal research, this module helps you understand their strengths and limitations. It also encourages reflection on your own methodological choices and prepares you for interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Publication Strategy
  Learn how to develop a well-thought-out publication strategy, with attention to key decision-making frameworks and current debates on publishing. Special focus is given to open access.

• Research Impact
  This session helps you acquire basic knowledge and skills to achieve societal and economic impact through your research. Impact is an integral part of UGent’s and the faculty’s research policy.

• Science Communication
  How can you make your research accessible and engaging for a wider audience? This session explores what science communication is, how to use it strategically, and which pitfalls to avoid.

• Research Design
  Learn how to formulate clear research aims and questions, and how to make sound methodological choices to support your project.

Presentations

During your PhD, you will present your research at least twice:

• Once at the faculty (e.g. during a seminar or the annual research day)

• Once at a (inter)national conference

You may also choose to organise a faculty seminar yourself.

Publication

Before submitting your dissertation, at least one publication must have been accepted for publication. This can be:

• An article (A1, A2 or A3)

• A book (B1)

• A book chapter (B2)

Contact

Questions or need more information? Contact Dr Arne Vandenbogaerde: arne.vandenbogaerde@ugent.be