Management & Innovation

Message from the Director

The PhD in Management and Innovation offered by the Catholic University of Milan is an international post-graduate program that is designed to prepare students for the academic career or research-oriented positions within public or private organisations. It offers the opportunity to acquire advanced research skills and carry out high-quality research activities in the various fields of Management and Innovation Studies. Through coursework, research projects, and collaboration with faculty and fellow students, students will develop a unique and valuable perspective that will serve them well throughout their careers.

In addition to the comprehensive coursework and cutting-edge research opportunities, our PhD offers students a range of activities that will help them to develop their research and methodological skills and expand their horizons. Doctoral students are expected to actively engage in the University's research centers and attend seminar series offered by its departments. This provides students with the opportunity to learn from and interact with experts in their fields, fostering their academic and personal growth.

Furthermore, the program encourages students to spend short-term and long-term periods in qualified foreign institutions and to participate in the main international conferences for their fields of study. This allows students to present their own work and network with renowned scholars from around the world. This exposure to different perspectives and research approaches will undoubtedly enhance their research and foster future collaborations.

Overall, the PhD in Management and Innovation Studies at the Catholic University of Milan provides a dynamic, friendly and supportive environment for doctoral students who wish to engage in high-quality research. By offering a range of activities and opportunities to enhance their academic experience, students will be well-equipped to make meaningful contributions to the fields of economics and management. We welcome applications from students who are passionate about research and ready to embark on an exciting journey of discovery and growth.

Sincerely,
Eugenio Anessi Pessina

Overview

With a focus on innovation and cutting-edge research, our PhD programme:

1. is rooted in the tradition of European PhD programmes; it encourages both positivistic and constructivist research and it provides knowledge, methodologies  and tools to apply both approaches;
2. is particularly sensitive to the rigour-relevance gap; so, it encourages studies that provide both a rigorous theoretical contribution to extant research and meaningful and evidence-based implications for the managerial community, policymakers and the socio-economic system as a whole;
3. is designed to integrate research and teaching abilities, by developing the skills required to both carry out a research project and to communicate its results to a wider community, including undergraduate and graduate students.

To achieve its goals, our PhD programme is organised into two tracks:

1. a track in Management Studies, with face-to-face courses;
2. a track in Innovation Studies, with face-to-face courses (note: this track is temporarily suspended for the academic year 2025-2026);

Courses are taught in English by experts in their respective fields. Most coursework is completed by the end of the first year.

During the first year, moreover, doctoral students are assigned to one or more supervisors who share the students’ research interests and can guide them in the preparation of their dissertations. The dissertation is generally composed of three published or publishable papers.

Doctoral students are also expected to be involved in the activities of the University’s research centres, to attend the seminar series offered by the University’s departments, to participate in the main international conferences for their fields of study, and to start presenting their own work. Participation in research activities, seminar series, and international conferences is also intended to provide doctoral students with the opportunity to meet outstanding scholars and start creating connections.

To further enrich the doctoral experience, the program also offers students the opportunity to visit top-quality international universities to work on their dissertations and strengthen their skills and connections. This international exposure provides a valuable experience for doctoral students to learn about different cultures, languages, and research environments.

Location and facilities

The program will be held in both Milan and Piacenza campuses.

Milan campus is located in Largo Gemelli,1 (20123), which is in the historical centre of the city.

Piacenza campus is in Via Emilia Parmense, 84 (29122).

Students have access to dedicated study areas and to all School premises, including libraries and IT support.

Contacts

Ufficio dottorandi: dottorati.ricerca-mi@unicatt.it

Program Director: Prof. Eugenio Anessi Pessina, Eugenio.Anessi@unicatt.it