International Environment and Development Studies

Level 8, philosophiae doctor (PhD)

Scope: The PhD programme has a nominal duration of three years' full-time study, divided into a minimum of 30 credits for the PhD education and 2.5 years for research work and completion of the dissertation.

Wording in the diploma

The PhD program in International Environment and Development Studies integrates development issues with research on environmental problems and natural resource management, resource rights and conflicts, human security, environmental governance, agricultural development and food security. The program has a clear interdisciplinary profile and relates to problem-oriented research directed at processes of change, aiming at providing knowledge and increased understanding of the complexities of development processes. Based on critical analysis, Development Studies may be committed to identifying best practices or proposing alternative ways of conceiving the issues and problems studied.

A candidate with this degree

• Is at the forefront of knowledge in international environment and development studies and has a systematic understanding of scholarly theories and methods in the field.
• Can formulate critical questions and design and implement research at an internationally high level in environment and development studies.
• Has contributed through original research to new knowledge that merits publication in national or international refereed journals.
• Is capable of critical analysis and offering constructive criticism of scientific, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work, in environment and development studies.
• Can place his/ her own research within larger scientific and societal context.

The programme is based on the general description of the PhD education at NMBU, and is regulated by the Regulations for the Degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.

Admission as a PhD candidate is contingent on the applicant having an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year Norwegian programme of study, with a GPA of B or above. The applicant must have achieved learning outcomes corresponding to the descriptions given in the Norwegian qualifications framework's second cycle. The applicant must have a strong academic background from previous studies.

Language requirements: English: 7.0 ELTS or equivalent.

The degree of philosophiae doctor (PhD) is awarded on the basis of:

• Approved completion of the required coursework
• An approved doctoral thesis
• An approved trial lecture on a specified topic of 45 minutes
• An approved public defence of the doctoral thesis (disputation)

During the programme the candidate will be evaluated through course work and through 3 major presentations associated with his/her research project. At each point, Noragric will provide academic advice and feedback on the research project and project progress. The three milestones (start, mid-term and end seminar) exist for the PhD candidate on his/her route to defending a dissertation at Noragric. All have important pedagogical functions, while the start seminar also plays a significant administrative role: continuation of PhD studies at Noragric is contingent upon a candidate¿s satisfactory and timely completion of a Project Proposal and Education Plan. The candidate is expected to give the start seminar before 1 April, the year after the start up.

The second milestone provides an important intermediate evaluation and check of progress. This seminar should take place at the latest one year before your study period ends. The third milestone ¿ an End Seminar ¿ is meant to provide the candidate with a simulated thesis defense experience.

Institutt for internasjonale miljø- og utviklingsstudier (Noragric), Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet, Postboks 5003, 1432 Ås.

PhD kontakt: Josie Teurlings, [email protected], tlf. + 47 67231309.

Godkjent av:

Dato:

What characterizes the study program in International Environment and Development Studies is how it integrates development issues with research on environmental problems and natural resource management, resource rights and conflicts, human security, environmental governance, agricultural development and food security.

The PhD Program in International Environment and Development Studies has a clear interdisciplinary profile both in recruitment of candidates and in the topics and problem areas investigated.

A candidate with this degree

• Is at the forefront of knowledge in international environment and development studies and has a systematic understanding of scholarly theories and methods in the field.
• Can formulate critical questions and design and implement research at an internationally high level in environment and development studies.
• Has contributed through original research to new knowledge that merits publication in national or international refereed journals.
• Is capable of critical analysis and offering constructive criticism of scientific, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work, in environment and development studies.
• Can place his/ her own research within larger scientific and societal context.

Graduated candidates are employed by research institutions, international organisations, NGOs, and governments.

Acquired Learning outcomes :

On completion of the PhD programme, the new doctor has the following:

a) knowledge, b) skills and c) general competence:

a) The doctor

• is at the forefront of knowledge in International Environment and Development Studies and has a systematic understanding of scholarly theories and methods within her/his field
• has interdisciplinary understanding of environment-development relations and a critical knowledge of development theories, policies and practices with due regard to diversity and complexity

b) The doctor

• is able to formulate critical questions and design and implement research at an internationally high level
• has contributed, through original research, to new knowledge that merits publication in national or international refereed journals
• is able to handle interdisciplinarity and complexity, and to synthesise scientific and scholarly information
• is capable of critical and constructive analysis of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary scientific work in international environment and development studies
• is able to contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories and methods within her/his field

c) The doctor

• is able to carry out his/her research with professional and ethical integrity, and to identify and assess relevant ethical concerns
• Has command of interdisciplinary and critical approaches to studying environmental and development issues and processes and/or international relations at various spatial and temporal dimensions
• is able to disseminate research findings through recognised national and international channels and to take part in scientific debates in international arenas
• is able to place his/her own research within larger scientific and societal contexts
• is able to draw on knowledge from social and natural sciences and present approaches that integrate political, economic, cultural, and/or environmental aspects of change at macro, meso and micro levels

The study is conducted at NMBU and affiliated institutions. Most PhD candidates conduct research in collaboration with other research institutions, often from the Global South.

PhD candidates are recruited internationally and most PhD candidates conduct research in collaboration with research institutions in the Global South. Candidates are encouraged to present their work in international conferences.