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Doctoral studies

Research/PhD studies in Sociology and Social Anthropology

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At the Department of Sociology we offer doctoral studies in the subjects of sociology 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

PhD courses at the Department of Sociology

On Concepts

The course discusses the meanings and functions of sociological and, more generally, social science concepts from various epistemological perspectives.

The course was offered in the autumn semester of 2024 and is repeated approximately every other year. The 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).

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.

Classical Sociological Theory

This course of 7.5 ECTS 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

The course is offered in cooperation with Linnaeus University and the University of Gothenburg. The next course is scheduled for April–June 2026. 

Please contact Bo Isenberg for more info.

Modern Sociological Theory

The course of 7.5 ECTS is offered in cooperation with the University of Copenhagen. The course was last held in autumn 2024, and is normally offered every one and a half to two years.

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).

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 will be completed by the examiner (PDF 94 kB, new tab)

When the doctoral student wants to certify a course studied at another university, this form will be completed by the principal supervisor (PDF 131 kB, new tab).

Application

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

Last updated: 3 Oct 2025