German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

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GIGA Doctoral Programme

GIGA Doctoral Programme

  • Welcome to the GIGA Doctoral Programme! The GIGA had a long tradition of integrating Doctoral Researchers into its institutional and research life, which eventually culminated in the establishment of the GIGA Doctoral Programme. It offers an international working and learning environment for Doctoral Researchers wishing to pursue research in a structured yet flexible programme with close individual supervision and tailored training.

    Our programme currently hosts around 40 talented junior researchers, who work on diverse topics and are active members of the Institute’s research community. The institutional setting allows them to branch out into different research fields and gain experience in adopting a variety of academic approaches.

    Offering a high-quality training programme alongside research colloquia and other formats for exchange, the GIGA Doctoral Programme enables its members to conduct independent research, engage in academic debates, and acquire key skills for a successful academic career. We support our Doctoral Researchers in their individual development, as they establish their publication records, organise research stays abroad, and attend international conferences – all on the way to successfully completing their doctoral degrees.

    GIGA staff are responsible for administering and developing the Doctoral Programme and for supporting its researchers in successfully accomplishing their projects and developing career prospects in academia. In addition, our Doctoral Researchers enjoy the right to self-govern internal matters as a group, including via holding a general assembly and electing representatives. We invite you to browse our website to learn more about our Doctoral Programme, its researchers, and possible ways for you to join us. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Doctoral Programme staff or representatives.

    Staff

    Dr. Maren Wagner (née Hoepfner)

    Acad. Director Doctoral Programme

    Humaira Iqbal

    Student Assistant

    Representatives

    Adhiraaj Anand

    Doctoral Researcher / Representative of Doctoral Researchers

    Mahima Duggal

    Doctoral Researcher / Representative of Doctoral Researchers

    Cornelius Haritz

    Doctoral Researcher / Representative of Doctoral Researchers

    Alina Maria Ripplinger

    Doctoral Researcher / Representative of Doctoral Researchers

    FAQ

    News

    “Spotlight on...” New Representatives of Doctoral Researchers Adhiraaj, Alina, Cornelius and Mahima

    Spotlight on... | 15/04/2025

    “Spotlight on...” New Representatives of Doctoral Researchers Adhiraaj, Alina, Cornelius and Mahima

    Our Doctoral Researchers held their General Assembly in December last year, and elected new representatives. Get to know Adhiraaj, Alina, Cornelius and Mahima.

    “Spotlight on...” New Doctoral Researcher Elianne Shewring

    Spotlight on... | 12/02/2025

    “Spotlight on...” New Doctoral Researcher Elianne Shewring

    Elianne Shewring joined the GIGA as a Doctoral Researcher, in November 2024. The title of her dissertation is: “From autocracy to democracy: a comparative analysis of the digital control mechanisms employed by China, Iran, and Israel". Get to know more about Elianne in this interview.

    GIGA Researcher Hana Attia Receives Leibniz PhD Prize 2024

    Award | 27/11/2024

    GIGA Researcher Hana Attia Receives Leibniz PhD Prize 2024

    Political scientist Dr. Hana Attia receives this year’s Leibniz “Humanities and Social Sciences” PhD prize for her research on international sanctions. The award ceremony took place on 27 November 2024 during the annual meeting of the Leibniz Association in Berlin. The GIGA congratulates Hana on this award. 

    Research, Structure, and Training

    As a Doctoral Researcher in the GIGA Doctoral Programme you will find ideal working conditions in an international environment that facilitates innovative research, offers comprehensive training, and provides excellent possibilities for individual development.

    DP Research, Structure, and Training

    Application and Funding

    If you are looking for the opportunity to pursue research in a structured yet flexible programme with close individual supervision and tailored training, you are welcome to apply to the GIGA Doctoral Programme. Our doctoral researchers are either employed in third-party funded projects at the GIGA or receive external funding. In addition, we offer the possibility to stay at the institute as a visiting doctoral researcher.

    Application and Funding

    Members

    Screenshot of an online meeting of the doctoral students at the GIGA.
    © GIGA

    Find out more about the members of the GIGA Doctoral Programme, including our doctoral researchers, supervisors, visiting doctoral researchers, and alumni.

    Members

    Courses and Events

    The courses and events of the GIGA Doctoral Programme offer doctoral researchers a comprehensive range of opportunities for further training and exchange. Here you can find a list of our events and register for upcoming courses.

    GIGA Training

    Networks and Partners

    The GIGA is a member of the Leibniz Association, which connects 96 independent research institutes from various disciplines that address issues of social, economic and ecological relevance. Around 4,000 PhD students are supervised at Leibniz Association institutes in collaboration with partner universities. The Leibniz PhD Network promotes exchange among doctoral researchers within the Leibniz Association.

    The GIGA Doctoral Programme cooperates closely with a number of universities that award the doctoral degree to our doctoral researchers.

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