Doctoral Programme in Governance — PhD research that shapes tomorrow

Today’s challenges cannot be tackled from one perspective alone. At the Hertie School, international researchers from multiple social science disciplines come together to exchange views, question, and develop their own thinking.

 

Working together with distinguished faculty or in affiliation with one of our Centres of Competence, our doctoral researchers pursue answers to today’s social, political, legal and economic challenges. Rigorous academic training, close supervision and institutional support, and the opportunity to develop professional skills prepare our PhDs for leading academic and non-academic careers.

 

The Hertie School is part of a vibrant research hub in the heart of Berlin and closely cooperates with leading doctoral programmes in the social sciences in Europe.

 

We offer 10-15 competitive scholarships each year to outstanding PhD candidates. 

News

The latest from our PhD researchers

Upcoming defences, recent publications and other news

 
CIVICA

Cooperation with leading doctoral programmes

In the framework of CIVICA we work together with doctoral programmes in the social sciences at Bocconi University, the Central European University (CEU), the European University Institute (EUI), the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), Sciences Po, the Stockholm School of Economics and the London School of Economics (LSE).
What we offer

PhD at the Hertie School

  • A structured programme combining academic excellence and advanced skills training in an international and multidisciplinary setting

  • A vibrant, supportive, and diverse academic community, institutional support and close supervision by the Hertie School’s renowned faculty
  • The opportunity to conduct research and engage with practitioners and scholars in Berlin and Europe
  • Academic careers in leading universities, or professional careers in public administration, NGOs or business
  • Peer support and feedback from your PhD colleagues
Apply now to the Doctoral Programme in Governance

Is the Hertie School the right place for me?

Check out the research topics of potential supervisors and explore our Centres of Competence
to find out how research at the Hertie School matches up with your interests.

Faculty

Supervisors

Get to know our faculty and their research interests.
Research

Centres of Competence

Sustainability, fundamental rights and democracy, security, digital governance and European governance
Explore

Latest research

Learn more about the latest research conducted at the Hertie School.
Browse

Recent publications

Find out what our PhD researchers published recently. 
Community

PhD researchers

Meet our PhD researchers undertaking research in one of our doctoral programmes.
Alumni

What our PhD researchers do today

Learn more about our PhD programmes graduates and where they work today.

The Hertie School’s other doctoral offerings

In cooperation with top universities and research institutes in Berlin, we offer three additional programmes.
If one of these specialised PhD programmes interests you, please apply through the separate portal. You may apply to all programmes in parallel.

DYNAMICS

The relationship between demographic change, democratic processes and public policy

The research training group “The Dynamics of Demography, Democratic Processes and Public Policy” (DYNAMICS), a joint cooperation of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Hertie School, accepts applications for 5 doctoral researcher positions per year.

SCRIPTS

Challenges of contemporary liberal societies

The Berlin Graduate School for Global and Transregional Studies (BGTS) offers doctoral training for the Cluster of Excellence “Contestations of the Liberal Script” (SCRIPTS). SCRIPTS gathers researchers from a range of disciplines at prominent research institutions in Berlin and is hosted at Freie Universität.
BSE

Economics

The Berlin School of Economics PhD programme offers four tracks: PhD in Economics and three business tracks (PhD in Accounting, PhD in Finance, and PhD in Management).

What our PhD researchers say

“The Hertie School is a university in rapid development, and it's exciting to be part of the journey. The academic faculty is not only impressive and unique, but also determined to create the best environment for their students and PhD researchers.”

Maria Uttenthal | Denmark | 2019 cohort | Supervisor: Christine Reh

“The Doctoral Programme is an ideal space for me as an international student. It offers a stimulating research environment with highly qualified academic networks. Besides, the programme provides great support for my career development.”

Luis Mejía | Mexico | 2016 cohort | Supervisor: Kai Wegrich

“I really enjoy being part of an interdisciplinary cohort. It allows for a great exchange of research perspectives and sharing the PhD journey with like-minded people.”

Anna Prisca Lohse | Germany | 2019 cohort | Supervisor: Lukas Graf

“It is a great advantage that we gather academics from almost all social sciences. As my research follows an interdisciplinary approach, it is amazing to have colleagues who comment, challenge, and support my research from very different perspectives.”

Frederik Traut | Germany | 2017 cohort | Supervisor: Mark Hallerberg

“I benefited greatly from my doctoral studies at the Hertie School, specifically in terms of acquiring significant research capabilities that have both broadened and enhanced the research I am capable of conducting.”

Casper Hendrik Claassen | Alumnus - 2017 cohort | Supervisor: Johanna Mair | Now works as Research Fellow at Yonsei University's Institute for Welfare State Research, Seoul, South Korea

Find out more

Explore

Doctoral dissertations

Read the results of our PhD candidates' doctoral journeys.
Connect

Apply for a research visit

Join us as a visiting PhD researcher for one semester or more. 
Discover

Get to know the city

Berlin is in the heart of Europe. And we are in the heart of Berlin.