About the Doctoral Program

Making a difference. The DK Climate Change (DKCC) is an international programme at the University of Graz for outstanding doctoral students in the field of climate change. The doctoral programme is characterised by innovative training and focuses on interdisciplinarity. The young researchers gain a shared understanding of the complex challenges of the climate crisis at an early stage and conduct joint research on strategies for the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient society. The DKCC is training a new generation of excellent scientists and can thus make a significant contribution to socio-economic transformation in the context of climate change.

Strategies for transformation: Anthropogenic climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our society in the 21st century. It raises profound social, ethical and political questions that cannot be answered by a single discipline. Climate protection, adaptation and compensation strategies are required to deal with current and future climate change. The DKCC aims to achieve a better understanding of uncertainties, risks and options for action in relation to climate change, with a particular focus on thresholds that may jeopardise the continuity of social and ecological systems. The doctoral students are researching strategies for the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient society and economy. They will then explore the question of how the necessary transformation can be implemented and legitimised politically and legally.

The training programme. In DKCC Phase 2 (2018-2022), the programme offers 21 fully funded PhD positions in an excellent research environment at the University of Graz. The training programme is characterised by a high degree of interdisciplinarity and is exemplary in its concept of supervision. The DKCC offers both discipline-related training and interdisciplinary seminars, colloquia and summer academies. Research at the DKCC is organised in three groups, which develop synergies through collaboration. The aim is to produce joint publications with results that are relevant to different target groups. In addition, the DKCC focuses on training skills that are required in self-organisation, teamwork, public awareness and science communication. A mentor also supports the doctoral student in achieving professional and personal goals.

The structure of the DKCC programme createsadded value for the participating institutes at the University of Graz. It connects five faculties and systematically raises the level of doctoral education. The interdisciplinary approach is not only reflected in the various disciplines represented - research is conducted in physical climate research, meteorology and hydrology, systems and sustainability sciences as well as theories of justice, ethics, environmental law and the economics of climate change - but also in the comprehensive expertise of the faculty members and their research partners in international networks. The Scientific Advisory Board also provides regular quality control through feedback on the DKCC's research performance.

The importance of networks: International research environments create new impulses, styles and approaches. Doctoral students are encouraged to spend international research periods abroad, which are beneficial to their careers. In addition, national and international experts are regularly invited to give guest lectures at the DKCC. The DKCC Stakeholder Board strengthens the exchange of doctoral students with stakeholders from a practical perspective and provides a critical understanding of the social and political relevance of their research. The professional career will later lead the researchers to universities, independent research institutions, international organisations, management consulting, business or public administration.

The Climate Change doctoral programme is funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). Other funding bodies are the University of Graz and the Province of Styria.