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Doctoral studies

Research/PhD studies in Sociology, Social Anthropology and Gender Studies

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At the Department of Sociology we offer doctoral studies in the subjects of sociology, gender studies and social anthropology. Around twenty doctoral students work at the department and we normally admit new doctoral students once a year.

Red vine on university building. Photo.

Doctoral studies (PhD studies/ Research studies) are an important part of the University’s mandate and responsibility. As a doctoral student you are an important part of the research environment at Lund University.

When there is a PhD-position open, you will find information on Lund University web page for Online Job Vacancies.

Handbook and contact

For more information on doctoral studies, consult our Handbook for doctoral students.

Director of Doctoral Studies: Bo Isenberg
Email: bo [dot] isenberg [at] soc [dot] lu [dot] se
Telephone: +46 46 222 38 49

Gender studies doctoral programme

Read more about PhD studies and research education in gender studies here.

PhD courses at the Department of Sociology

On Concepts, 7.5 ECTS

On Concepts discusses the meanings and functions of sociological and, more generally, social science concepts from various epistemological perspectives. The course is offered approximately every other year. Course coordinators are Bo Isenberg (bo [dot] isenberg [at] soc [dot] lu [dot] se) and Chares Demetriou (charalambos [dot] demetriou [at] soc [dot] lu [dot] se).

The course will be offered next time in the fall semester 2026. Schedule and other infos will be provided soon. For orientation, please have a look at the course information for the 2024 edition of the course. You are welcome to contact the course coordinators for further questions.

PhD courses in Cooperation with Other Universities

The Department of Sociology, in collaboration with the Departments of Sociology at the University of Copenhagen, the University of Gothenburg, and Linnaeus University, offers three doctoral courses in sociological theory: Classical Sociological Theory, which covers classical sociology; Modern Sociological Theory, which discusses sociological and social science theory formation during the second half of the twentieth century; and Contemporary Sociological Theory, which focuses on the developments in sociological theory over the past few decades.

Modern Sociological Theory, 7.5 ECTS

Modern Sociological Theory offers an overview of key sociological theories and theorists as well as of central theoretical topics in the latter half of the 20th century. The course is offered in cooperation with the University of Copenhagen and offered every second year. Course convenors are Bo Isenberg (bo [dot] isenberg [at] soc [dot] lu [dot] se) and Chares Demetriou (charalambos [dot] demetriou [at] soc [dot] lu [dot] se).

The course is planned for the spring semester 2027. Please have a look at the course information for the 2024 edition for orientation. You are welcome to contact the course coordinators for further questions.

Classical Sociological Theory, 7.5 ECTS

This course is offered in cooperation with the University of Gothenburg. The course was last held in spring 2025, and is normally offered every one and a half to two years.

Please contact Bo Isenberg for more info.

Contemporary Sociological Theory, 7.5 ECTS

This course is offered in cooperation with Linnaeus University and the University of Gothenburg. The next course is scheduled for April–June 2026. Apply no later than February 19th.

Reading courses, for PhD students of the Lund Department of Sociology

Qualitative Methods

Quantitative Methods

Classical Sociological Theory

Modern sociological theory

Social Anthropology

Other courses

Our ongoing doctoral projects

Our current doctoral students are engaged in many interesting and varied doctoral projects.

Faculty courses

A wide selection of doctoral courses available at the Faculty of Social Sciences.
 

Handbook for doctoral students

General information Lund University

Doctoral Studies Lund University on the university's international website.

Forms for examiners and supervisors

When the doctoral student has completed a reading course or acted as a discussant at an idea seminar, this form shall be filled in by the examiner

When the doctoral student wants to certify a course studied at another university, this form shall be filled in by the principal supervisor

Application

When there is a PhD-position open, you will find information at Lund University's web page for Job Vacancies.

Last updated: 17 Apr 2026