Branch programme/details

At present, there is a consensus that just having a comprehensive understanding of the planet’s natural system does not suffice. It is necessary to understand the complex interactions between the socio-economic system and the vital planetary systems which provide society with ecosystem and natural services. The Social Ecology doctoral programme contributes to the development of the environmental approaches characteristic in their interdisciplinary nature. The goal of the programme is the advancement of knowledge, which should contribute to the creation of a theoretical base from whith the strategy of making economic, social, and cultural development sustainable, especially from an environmental perspective.

The following scientific directions have been defined for the programme:
- Socio-economic metabolism.
- Natural services.
- Relationships between health and environment.
- Application of sociological and economic approaches aimed at addressing environmental issues and sustainable development.
- Research topics applying environmental economics.
- Socially urgent issues of public policy of sustainable development.
- Legal aspects of relationships towards the environment.
- Environmentally inspired topics from the perspective of philosophy, anthropology and history.
- Indicators of the relationship between the environment and human activities.
- Education for sustainable development.

Students can come up with their own ideas for topics for PhD thesis or may use topics provided by supervisors. The objective of the PhD Social Ecology is to provide, as in the above mentioned domains, the concept of sustainable development with support of scientifically conducted research. An important aspect of the program is the interdisciplinary character of the stated research domains and the synergies among them. Although it is not the main goal of the course, we hope that the research outputs be an important source of scientifically valid information for objective, relevant and qualified decision-making on environmental aspects, of the economic and social development of the Czech Republic.

The components of the entrance examination are:
- Discussion of the submitted dissertation project proposal, which should be prepared together with an authorised supervisor from the list of supervisors approved by the Board of Studies, whose name is included in the project (max. 12 points)
- Verification of the necessary background in the natural sciences in relation to the environment and in the social sciences, including economics (max. 4 points)
- Verification of knowledge of the English language (max. 4 points).
A candidate who receives less than 7 points from the evaluation of the debate on the dissertation project cannot be admitted. The Dean will determine the score threshold required for admission based on the result of the admission procedure and taking into account the economic and capacity possibilities of the faculty.

For the entrance examination, the candidate will bring a presentation of his/her PhD project proposal, focusing in particular on a) the current state of knowledge on the topic, b) the formulation of the research question or hypothesis, c) the methods of solution, d) the timing of the work, and e) the possibilities of publication. The presentation will be complemented by a summary of the proposal in English. The proposal may be further refined from the version attached to the application, preferably in collaboration with an agreed supervisor. The supervisor should confirm his/her agreement to the training by signing a document which forms a separate annex to the application form.

The application form contains the following annexes:
- The dissertation project (description of the problems of the doctoral thesis, the aim and possible applications, the proposed methodology, a list of the most important literature titles, a timetable for the solution, clarification of the continuity of the work with the research directions defined for the Social Ecology programme). The student is expected to present his/her dissertation topic in a way that is consistent with the research program of the training institute;
- A brief professional CV,
- other relevant documents (e.g. a summary of the applicant's publications to date, evidence of research experience at home or abroad, evidence of an English language examination, etc.).

Admission to Doctoral studies is conditioned by successful completion of a Master's study programme.

Verification method:	entrance exam
Confirmation date (of entrance exam) from:	11.06.2025	Until:	20.06.2025
Alternative date (of entrance exam):	25.06.2025	Until:	27.06.2025

Students of the programme will know the principles and methods of scientific work. Thanks to being trained in the research methodology of at least two subjects, they are capable of a relatively greater insight into interdisciplinary-based problems and are better equipped to resolve them, which we consider to be an important added value of the Social Ecology programme. The range of expertise of students is determined by the interdisciplinary nature of their studies, which focuses on environmental issues, and issues regarding the dynamics of the relationships between society and natural systems. The basis for this specialization is determined by their previous studies. This specialization is developed within the doctoral studies in such a way, that the students eventually acquire in-depth knowledge of the theoretical bases of the scientific areas they are applying, whilst writing their doctoral theses. They know the broad context of the environmental issues their dissertation is focusing on, and develop a deep understanding of the methodology of all scientific areas they are applying while working on their dissertations. The knowledge students gain is considered an essential prerequisite for interdisciplinary dialogue and research.
Graduates will be qualified for positions at academic institutions here and abroad. Moreover, will be able to take positions as scientists in institutions fully focused on research and development in the broad area of subjects related to the environment and sustainable development, e.g. at various institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Examples of possible research areas include: environmental economics, environmental sociology, the research and use of sustainability indicators etc. Furthermore, graduates can seek jobs in research institutions abroad. An extremely important outcome is the ability of graduates to hold decision-making positions in public administration, the business sphere and NGOs, where their work will have an impact on the environment. As for the public sector, this includes positions in central administrative bodies, especially ministries and their advisory expert or executive offices; positions in public administration at the regional or lower level. Jobs can also be possibly found in administrative bodies of the European Commission, the United Nations, the OECD and other multilateral international organizations. In the business sector graduates can find employment in companies, whose business has a direct impact on the environment. They can also find opportunities in companies and organizations providing expert services directly focused on the environment, such as land planning, planning for Territorial System of Ecological Stability, EIA, SEA, as well as more recently the Sustainability Impact Assessment. If interested, graduates will be able to take a job in the media, where they will be able to competently assess and present information on sustainable development and the environment.