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Studies

Doctoral degree
Full time
International Environment and Development Studies

Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), Faculty of Landscape and Society

 

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ECTS credits:

180

Start of Studies:

Autumn

Global puzzles

This PhD programme is at the heart of NMBU 's mandate with its focus on global challenges related to environmental and climate change, sustainable food production and natural resources management and the governance implications for people's rights and well-being.

The programme integrates development issues with research on environmental problems, typically issues related to natural resource management, resource rights and conflicts, human security, environmental governance, agricultural development and food security. The programme has a clear interdisciplinary profile both in recruitment of candidates and in the topics and problem areas investigated.

More information on how to apply for admission

For vacant positions at our university, including PhD positions, please check here

For more information about the programme and courses, check below under "programme structure".

Career opportunities

Our graduates are employed by both public and private sectors. Some continue in academia, others work in private research foundations, consulting firms or public organisations. Our graduates, almost without exception, quickly acquire relevant jobs.

To see what they wrote about, you can check the dissertation overview for Noragric

  • Program structure

    Development Studies relate 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. Environment and Development Studies can be defined as the study of the interface of society and nature with the intention of contributing to the improvement of sustainability. The programme has a clear interdisciplinary profile and focusses on the linkages between social and political processes and the challenges of global and local environmental problems, focusing on issues of sustainable resource management and global justice.

    Academic training component

    The PhD programme in International Environment and Development Studies at Noragric follows the general criteria and requirements defined by the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and is undertaken in collaboration with the other NMBU faculties. According to the University requirements, each PhD education plan should include 30 ECTS of coursework, which corresponds to one semester or almost half a year Additional course credits can be approved as part of the study plan if needed. The PhD programmes at LANDSAM include two compulsory courses offered by the faculty:

    LSAM400 Introduction to the PhD (10 ECTS)

    LSAM410 Philosophy of Science and Research Ethics (5 ECTS)

    The remaining credits can be filled with thematic courses of relevance to the topic of each PhD thesis or other generic courses. The faculty offers the following courses:

    LSAM420 - PhD “kappe” course (annually)

    SDP424/425 Real property theory (biannually)

    SDP420 Urban Morphology, an interdisciplinary approach to studies in urban planning and development (2027 and every third year after that)

    In addition to the organized courses, the faculty gives credits for the following PhD activities:

    LSAM451 - Paper presentation at a conference

    LSAM452 - Scientific poster presentation

    LSAM453 – Popular scientific dissemination

    LSAM455 – Midterm seminar

    Other PhD courses at NMBU that can be recommended for PhD candicates are:

    MINA400 Research Education Across Disciplines
    PPVE400 – Supervision of Master students

    For more information about each course - see NMBU's course catalogue

    • Independent research component

    All candidates conduct research based on a proposal which is developed by the candidate him/herself.

    In addition to the required course work, a PhD candidate at NMBU will give three major seminars associated with the research project. At each point, the faculty will provide academic advice and feedback on the research project and progress. These presentations represent three milestones for the PhD candidate before the PhD thesis is completed and they all have important pedagogical functions. The first - the start seminar - plays an important role in defining and focusing the project The second milestone - a midterm seminar - provides an important intermediate evaluation and check of progress. The third milestone - an end seminar - is meant to provide the candidate with comments to the introductory chapter, or the main chapters if the candidate writes a monograph.

  • Learning outcomes

    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

  • Exchange possibilities

    All compulsory courses can be taken during the first and early second semester such that longer periods can be used for fieldwork, data collection and a stay at a relevant institution abroad.

  • More about the program

    • Societal relevance

      This PhD programme is at the heart of NMBU 's mandate with its focus on global challenges related to environmental and climate change, sustainable food production and natural resources management and the governance implications for people's rights and well-being. Graduated candidates are employed by research institutions, international organisations, NGOs, and governments.

    • Learning activities

      PhD candidates are trained in working independently throughout the whole program. Candidates must complete coursework, carry out (field) research and evaluate methods, obtain the necessary literature, data and consult supervisors or the larger academic community to receive feedback on their work. It is emphasized that research work should be of high quality, which requires that candidates are able to work and think independently. Doctoral candidates are part of active research teams and clusters at the department. Most candidates participate in teaching and supervision activities for the department¿s bachelor and master students.

    • Examination

      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.

    • Information for students from partner universities

      Upon admission, PhD candidates will be offered affiliation to a research cluster. The cluster will also participate actively in outlining the final research project proposal and serve as a reference group throughout the study period. The Department also has one administrative advisor who deals with all PhD related issues.

    • Cooperation with other institutions

      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.