Additional recruitment to the Doctoral School of Social Sciences beyond the limit of places in discipline: social and economic geography and spatial management 

Project description:      

The basic assumption of the project and, more importantly, research activities originate from the questions: Are we as humans able to understand that our planet - particular places/environment around us - can be a more-than-human being (with self and agency) that is in reciprocal dialogue with us? Are we able to look at place or environment as being with a specific self? Are we able to be not only in human-centred to environment relations but also in symmetrical environment-human relations? Are we able to learn from our environmental (biotic and geographical) partners?, and last but not least what local communities and Tribal/Indigenous Groups talk about the changes taking place in their natural places? Searching for answers to these questions, the research team plans to identify the level of agency and emancipation of places/environments in the awareness, opinions and views of the local communities/Indigenous Groups. The main aim of the proposed project is to investigate conceptually and empirically mentioned above 'a deeper sense of place' in the context of agency of place and reciprocal, symmetrical relations between human and the environment as well in the context of climate changes and signs of it in the environment.

Methodology:

- continuous, dynamic in time ongoing studies, 2024-2028: two field stays in Darien (PA)

- in-depth qualitative studies of the views of Tribal/Indigenous Groups (Embera Tribe), as well as other members of local communities: Panama.

- quantitative survey research on a sample of residents of Panama.

- semnatic analysys of Big Data

We invite applications from candidates interested in scientific development in the area of social field research in the human-environmental area, developing skills of a social researcher, research conducted in different cultures and touching on contemporary environmental problems of the planet, and ready to look at the bio and geo environment from the perspective of the concept of agency of non-human beings. Candidate must have fluent knowledge of Spanish (field research in Panama) and English, excellent skills in interpersonal contacts and openness to people, readiness for field trips in foreign cultures and demanding field conditions (research in the Darien region - Panama tropical forests). The successful applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills. The project provides full financial support for field stays in Panama, participation in conferences and workshops, quantitative research, and a short-term stay at the University of Texas at Austin. We will assist you in preparing your grant applications, establish cooperation with renowned foreign centers and develop your research. There is one PhD position planned in the project: The tentative scope of the PhD thesis is "Agency and emancipation of the bio and geo environment in the opinion of indigenous people and local communities of Panama." The project will be supervised by Jacek Kotus (Adam Mickiewicz University). PhD Student 1 will be responsible for qualitative and quantitative research in Panama (also the Darien region) among the Embera Indigenous Peoples and local communities of this country. Educational activities in local communities of Panama are also planned, related to presenting the natural and geographical environment as a set of non-human beings.

Tasks:

- preparation of research scenario among Indigenous Groups,

- preparation of field research in Panama,

- participation in a series of 2 field trips in Panama,

- analysis of the results of in-depth interviews,

- quantitative survey's data analysis,

- preparation of scientific articles in international journals

- participation in workshops and conferences

- development of own research qualifications

- dissemination of project results (lectures for schools, social media)

- cooperation with other team members

- dissemination of project results (lectures for schools, social media).

Principal investigator: prof. dr Jacek Kotus tatra@amu.edu.pl;jacek.tusko@gmail.com, Project Opus, number grant UMO-2023/51/B/HS4/00279

Recruitment 

Selection Committee

            prof. dr hab. Jacek Kotus – chairman

            prof. UAM dr hab. Michał Rzeszewski  

            dr Tomasz Sowada

            prof. UAM dr hab. Adam Radzimski 

            prof. UAM dr hab. Artur Bajerski             

Schedule of  the Doctoral  School enrolment procedure: 

Recruitment fee

The recruitment fee is 75 EUR.

Form of the selection procedure

One stage procedure.

Language of the selection procedure, including interviews:

Polish or English language. 

Required documents:

Candidates applying based on exceptional academic achievements must include a scan of the following:  

1) For first-cycle graduates: the diploma and supplement. 

2) For students completing the third year of a unified master’s programme: a certificate indicating their academic average from years 1 to 3, along with a transcript. 

Candidates educated outside Poland must additionally submit: 

1) A scanned copy of their higher education diploma and supplement for both first- and second-degree qualifications (Bachelor’s and Master’s), in the original language and a certified translation into English or Polish.

2) A scanned copy of their passport (for foreign applicants). 

 Evaluation criteria

 1. A minimum grade of "very good" or equivalent from a second-cycle (master’s) or unified master’s degree diploma (5 points). Candidates applying on the basis of exceptional scientific achievements (e.g., grant awarded under the “Pearls of Science” competition) will also receive 5 points. 

2. Evaluation of up to three documented scientific achievements submitted during registration in the IRK system, assessed according to the detailed criteria of the candidate's accomplishments (maximum of 20 points). 

3. Assessment of other documented activities, based on up to three achievements indicated by the candidate, as per the specific criteria for the discipline (maximum of 5 points). 

4. The outcome of the interview, which assesses: 

a) The candidate’s knowledge and competencies relevant to their intended research, including discipline-specific expertise. 

b) Research methodology appropriate to the chosen discipline. The interview has a maximum duration of 30 minutes and awards up to 50 points. 

5. Evaluation of the research project prepared for admission, or in the case of recruitment tied to a grant project, the author’s concept for implementing the project (maximum of 20 points). Assessment focuses on: 

a) Formulation of the research objective and presentation of the research problem. Page 6 of 9 

b) Originality of the research idea and approach to solving the research problem. 

c) Methodology suited to the indicated discipline. 

d) Awareness of the current state of research, supported by a basic bibliography. 

e) The project’s significance for the development of the chosen discipline. 

Condition of admission to the Doctoral School 

Education Program

Education at the doctoral school lasts 8 semesters. Education at the Doctoral School  is offered on the basis of a framework curriculum and an individual research plan and ends with the submission of a doctoral dissertation.

The framework curriculum at the doctoral school includes a catalogue of modules of compulsory classes, elective compulsory classes and optional classes. It also:

1)    defines their schedule

2)    defines the way in which the classes are taught

3)    defines how learning outcomes are verified.

Education begins on 1st October, 2025.

Supervisors

A doctoral student works under the supervision of a supervisor or supervisors, or a supervisor and auxiliary supervisor, who will be appointed by the Deputy Rector at the request of a doctoral student (within 3 months of the start of his or her studies at the Doctoral School).

Scholarships

Scholarship: 5000 PLN gross per month (about 3800 PLN net per month) for two years and 6295 PLN gross per month in third and fourth year of PhD study. 

Rules of admission to doctoral schools of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań in the academic year 2025/2026, Appendix to Resolution No. 46/2024/2025 of UAM Senate of 27 January, 2025.