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Doctoral studies

Research/PhD studies in Sociology and Social Anthropology

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.

Contemporary Sociological Theory

The course is offered in cooperation with Linnaeus University, the University of Copenhagen and the University of Gothenburg. The next course is tentatively scheduled for 2026. Please contact Bo Isenberg for more info.

Classical Sociological Theory

The course is offered in cooperation with the University of Gothenburg. Next course will be held in the spring semester of 2025. Please contact Bo Isenberg for more info.

Modern Sociological Theory

Modern sociological theory (7,5 ECTS) is a PhD course organised by the sociology departments at Lund University and Copenhagen University. 

The course takes place in the autumn semester 2024. 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).

Modern Sociological Theory - syllabus and literature list (PDF 199 kB, new tab)


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