Admission to doctoral studies

Application procedure for full-time doctoral studies

Applicants will have to submit the following documents:

1. an application addressed to the Rector;
2. a copy of the passport or valid identification card;
3. copies of the Master’s diploma or of a higher education diploma equivalent to it and their supplements;
4. Curriculum Vitae;
5. a completed questionnaire with a photo;
6. a prospective research project;
7. motivational letter
8. a list of research works and their copies, conference presentations, works awarded at academic competitions (if there is any);
9. recommendations by two academic referees from the topic of the relevant field of science;
10. a certificate of assessment of academic qualifications issued by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (if asked);
11. 15 Eur instalment cheque.

Research projects, motivational letters and all the required documents must be emailed to apply.phd@cr.vu.lt and arenida.glusinskiene@tspmi.vu.lt by June 19th.

Special opportunity! Apply for the Arqus European University Alliance Scholarship (more information is provided here). The scholarship comprises a subsistence allowance of 1,400€/month. In addition, the Arqus Talent Scholarship Fund will cover the tuition fee at the student’s entrance university. The deadline for the submission of applications is May 31st.

Selection

Application score is calculated according to the following formula:

Prospective research project is evaluated together with motivational letter and recommendations (see Mandatory appendices of prospective research project). The assessment of a research project is carried out based on clarity of its aim, relatedness of the aim and the central theme of the doctoral studies, novelty, and suitability of proposed research methods.

When evaluating the interview, special attention is paid to the motivation of a candidate, ability to reasonably defend the project proposal, relevance of the project, originality, and novelty of a chosen topic. This information is drawn from the interview as well as motivational letter and letters of recommendation, submitted by the applicant.

In the assessment of applicant’s scientific activities, attention is paid to the participation in research activities as well – additional points are granted to applicants who have taken part in research projects or fieldworks, have presented their papers in conferences, etc.

In case of equal evaluation of a few prospective students, priority is determined by:

1. The grade of MA thesis;
2. Grades of courses relevant to the research project topic, provided in the appendix of the MA diploma.

The prospective research project is evaluated by the Admission commission. The Commission makes a decision concerning the admission of a candidate on the basis of evaluation of the research project and interview with a candidate. During the interview, a candidate may be asked to comment on his/her research project and answer related questions and remarks.

The admission interview will take place on June 30th, 11.00 (EEST) at the IIRPS VU (Vokiečių str., 10, Vilnius). If you wish to participate in an online interview, please contact Arenida Glušinskienė, arenida.glusinskiene@tspmi.vu.lt.

Requirements for the prospective research project

Prospective research project is the main component of PhD studies application. Requirements for prospective researched project:

1. A concise prospective topic of the research and its relevance;
2. Literature review of prior research in the field and assessment of prospective research novelty;
3. Clear aim and tasks of the research (preferably, formulated as questions), preliminary hypotheses, if applicable;
4. Research methods;
5. Major literature sources (approximately 10 positions).

The prospective research project should be around 20 000 symbols in length or 10-12 numbered A4 pages. The project should be written in English with 1,5 intervals between the lines, 12 pt. font size.

Mandatory appendices of the prospective research project

Mandatory appendices of prospective research project:

1. Motivational letter, in which the applicant proves his/her motivation for doctoral studies, concisely presents his/her scientific activities and experience as well as plans for the professional career;
2. Two recommendations. At least one of the recommendations should be written by consulting researcher/prospective supervisor and include a project review.

The proposed topics of doctoral dissertations in political science at the IIRPS VU:

1. Transformation of US and China‘s  Power in the Battle for Technological Domination: The Impact of 5G and Artificial Intelligence Development on the Global Competition (consulting scientist prof. dr. Tomas Janeliūnas)

For a long time, especially looking from the theoretical perspectives of realism (and its variations), the technological advantage was intended to strengthen a state’s military and / or economic power. At present, technology is becoming the most important, potentially determining source of power (Chin, 2019; Bates, 2019). The competition for innovation in artificial intelligence, 5G connectivity (as well as genetic engineering, quantum computers, space technology, etc.) is becoming the epicentre of the geopolitical clash between China and the US (Mazarr et all, 2018; Hoffmann, Bradshaw and Taylor, 2019; Graham, 2020). Domination in these areas is seen as a prerequisite for acquiring (in the of China) or maintaining (US) hegemonic power in the international system.

The proposed PhD research would aim to revise classical and modern IR theories explaining the concept of power in the light of the rapidly changing impact of technology on international politics. The practical part of the study would analyse how China and the US seek to strengthen their global influence by promoting or limiting the acquisition of innovative technologies, creating “technology alliances”, implementing or enforcing standards and technical protocols that could help establishing their technological superiority.

2. The Impact of the Public Space Digitalization on Foreign Policy and Diplomacy (consulting scientist prof. dr. Tomas Janeliūnas)

The digitalization of various public activities, including politics, provides new forms of communication that help not only to inform but also to express emotions and creativity, as well as to change the ways of acquiring knowledge and spreading ideas. Even diplomacy, long understood as a “semi-private” activity (often than not related to non-public negotiations, coordination of interests in informal meetings or under the carpet, etc.), is becoming increasingly digitalized: Twitter posts are gaining official status, and, in the face of a pandemic, interpersonal communication has become a kind of luxury. This is a new challenge for diplomacy and foreign policy, where digital communication skills and impact have a greater impact than the classical interpersonal political process.

The proposed PhD research would aim to assess changes in diplomacy and foreign policy practices in the context of intensifying digitalisation. The focus should be on the changed diplomatic processes and methods since 2020, when the impact of the pandemic has forced the relocation of most activities to the digital space. The research could potentially focus on the transformation of Lithuanian diplomacy and / or EU policy in 2020-2024.

3. Dilemmas of Energy Security and Diplomac: Reconciling Baltic Interests on Synchronization and the Astravyets NPP Electricity Boycott (consulting scientist prof. dr. Tomas Janeliūnas)

The last important issue for Lithuania’s energy independence and security is the project of synchronization of electricity networks with the continental Europe. Related to this are the problems of Astravyets NPP and the efforts to ensure that electricity produced in Belarus is not traded on the Baltic power exchanges. The latter issue in particular raises a great deal of political disagreement between Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian politicians as well as representatives of the energy sector. Decisions and processes of decision making are not only technical but reach the highest political levels, including the heads of the Baltic states. This has recently become one of the most important tasks of Lithuanian diplomacy.

The PhD research would include a consistent process tracing analysis, identifying key Baltic interests and sources of conflicts, as well as the entire decision-making process, including negotiations on a synchronization model and various proposals for electricity trade with third countries after the start of Astravyets NPP. Qualitative interviews with Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian decision-makers as well as energy sector representatives and experts should become the most important data sources. Such a study (the process tracing of practical diplomacy of Lithuania) would possibly be the first research of its kind in the IIRPS VU, which would undoubtedly attract a great deal of public interest.

4. Changing nature of Lithuanian/Baltic states external interdependencies [trade, migration, cyberspace, information and others]: causes and impact on foreign policy  (consulting scientist prof. dr. Ramūnas Vilpišauskas)

The aim of the study is to assess the structure, nature (asymmetry) of Lithuania’s external relations, links between areas, foreign partners and analyse the reasons for their change (membership in international organizations, domestic policy decisions to change external relations, etc.) and discuss their impact on Lithuanian foreign policy. The study could be based on the EU-STRAT methodology of the Horizon 2020 project applied to the analysis of the external dependencies of Ukraine and other Eastern Partnership countries.

5. Identity in the political regimes (consulting scientist assoc. prof. Nerija Putinaitė)

When analysing past and present political processes, increasing attention is being payed to the impact of social identity not only on people’s decisions, but also on political processes, and on political change or its impossibility. Identity includes such socially constructed identities as national, ethnic, European, religious, racial, Soviet, etc. Social identities are usually supported by emotions, personal attachments and other factors that are related to personal identity and self-awareness. They are invisible for the analysis based on rational choice and interest, but act as essential factors in political processes nevertheless.

Potential research topics cover a wide range of possible themes. Firstly, these are theoretical questions about the relationship of social identity with the stability or change of a particular political regime (democracy, totalitarianism, etc.), as well as about the possibilities to politically construct or change particular identity. Secondly, these are also practical questions about a certain communal identity and its relationship with other identities under conditions of a certain political regime, its possible impact upon political change or stability, its sustainability, flexibility and a potential to impact political environment.

6. Influence of structural transformations on labour market (consulting scientist assoc. prof. Žilvinas Martinaitis)

Proposed problematics: digitalization and robotization, the establishment of platforms, the changes in work, lifestyle and consumption caused by the pandemic, changing directions and volumes of international trade that determines the shifting economic structure of states as well as the type of work in the “old” professions and sectors.

7. The Political Economy of FinTech (consulting scientist assoc. prof. Vytautas Kuokštis)

The FinTech (financial technologies) revolution has brought major changes to the financial sector. By using new technologies, FinTech companies challenge the established business models and open up new opportunities for users of financial services. Lithuania is among the leading countries in Europe and globally when it comes to creating an environment attractive for FinTech companies and actually receiving foreign investments in this area. Although at present the sector does not constitute a major share in the economy, it is growing exceedingly fast and holds enormous potential.

Due to its novelty, FinTech has not yet received a lot of attention in the academic literature. This is especially true for political science, as contributions have been mainly made by economists and economic geographers. At the same time, political science can offer valuable perspectives on the topic.

The main research question is the following – how can we explain the difference in FinTech regulation across the world? Why has Lithuania succeeded in creating an attractive environment for such companies? To what extent can differences in regulation be accounted for by interests (e.g., preferences and influence of traditional financial institutions), institutions, or ideas?

Additional questions of interest: how and why is FinTech regulated at the EU level? What are the geopolitical implications of FinTech?

8. Politics of the (Post)Soviet Aesthetics: Communities, Media, and Emancipatory Strategies (consulting scientist prof. dr. Natalija Arlauskaitė)

In the late Soviet period, on the verge of independence and during the 30 years since its restoration, aesthetic/artistic activity has in various ways established a critical relationship with the past, with one’s own present, and with the circulating visions of the future. Social and political activism (artivism), the creation of institutions, the formation of stable and situated communities, new forms and formats of aesthetic activity, individual and group aesthetics have all been and continue to be part of the public debate about the state and society. However, the political content of all these discussions has been rarely examined. The topic of this research implies an interdisciplinary approach, a tendency to work with empirics and theoretical connections.

9. The Politics, Economics and Culture of (Anti-)Corruption in Central Asia (consulting scientist assoc. prof. Konstantinas Andrijauskas)

In the current environment of increased geopolitical and geoeconomic competition worldwide, post-Soviet Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) has yet again attracted the attention of external actors, the EU and Lithuania included. This process largely coincides with rather unprecedented political and economic transformations across much of the region, particularly in its two largest countries, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. One of the principal deficiencies usually associated with Central Asia is supposedly endemic and entrenched corruption. Based on a consciously expanded definition of the phenomenon in question, this call aims to initiate scientific study of ‘corrupt’ practices and anti-corruption initiatives there.

The interdisciplinary research will be conducted largely within the frame of the EU-funded programme Multi-Level Orders of Corruption in Central Asia (MOCCA) that is based on academic exchange (one to twelve months long) among more than a dozen European and Central Asian institutions forming the consortium. Candidates with the following traits are particularly encouraged to apply: aside of English, proficiency in Central Asia’s titular languages (Turkic and Iranic) and/or Russian; previous study or work in fields related to political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, law or area studies, particularly dealing with corruption; and experience of conducting fieldwork research, especially in non-European and Muslim majority societies.

10. Problems of Contemporary Politics (consulting scientists Prof. Dr. Dovilė Jakniūnaitė, Prof. Dr. Alvydas Jokubaitis, Prof. Dr. Vitalis Nakrošis, Prof. Dr. Ainė Ramonaitė, Prof. Dr. Gediminas Vitkus, Prof. Dr. Ramūnas Vilpišauskas, Prof. Dr. Tomas Janeliūnas, Prof. Dr. Violeta Davoliūtė, Prof. Dr. Natalija Arlauskaitė, Prof. Dr. Margarita Šešelgytė, Assoc. Prof. Vytautas Kuokštis, Assoc. Prof. Liutauras Gudžinskas, Assoc. Prof. Mažvydas Jastramskis, Assoc. Prof. Žilvinas Martinaitis, Assoc. Prof. Inga Vinogradnaitė, Assoc. Prof. Nerija Putinaitė)

Aim of the research is to analyse selected political problem in one the fields of political science.

The research carried out by researchers at IIRPS VU allows to ensure the intellectual and material basis for the research in the following fields:

Political behaviour and institutions

History of ideas and political philosophy

Global and regional processes as well as the role of Lithuania in them

Contemporary Europe

Public administration and public policy analysis

For detailed information about admission to VU doctoral programs and deadlines for submission of documents, please visit VU page.