Legal and Social Sciences
PHD PROGRAMME
An interdisciplinary doctoral programme examining the protection of individual and fundamental rights through private law, constitutional law, comparative law, legal history, public law and the social sciences.
PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE
Coordinator: Prof. Paolo Bianchi
Institution: University of Camerino
Proposing School: School of Law
Teaching location: Camerino
Programme structure: Single-university PhD programme
Duration: Three years
Curricula: Two research curricula
Current teaching offer: Academic year 2025/2026
Institution: University of Camerino
Proposing School: School of Law
Teaching location: Camerino
Programme structure: Single-university PhD programme
Duration: Three years
Curricula: Two research curricula
Current teaching offer: Academic year 2025/2026
PROGRAMME COMMUNITY
16 PhD candidates currently enrolled
Cycle XXXIX: 5 candidates ·
Cycle XL: 6 candidates ·
Cycle XLI: 5 candidates
Cycle XL: 6 candidates ·
Cycle XLI: 5 candidates
Data updated: August 2026 · Active cycles XXXIX–XLI
PROGRAMME PROFILE
Law, rights and society in a changing world
The programme brings together different fields of legal and social research to prepare researchers and highly qualified professionals capable of addressing the protection of individual rights within a strongly interdisciplinary environment.
Rights are examined both in their individual dimension and in their relationship with public powers, markets, institutions and society. The programme integrates private law, constitutional law, comparative law, legal history, philosophy, public law and the analysis of political, social and technological change.
The educational pathway combines individual research, common and curriculum-specific courses, seminars, research groups, academic writing, tutoring and international mobility. It culminates in the preparation and public defence of an original doctoral thesis.
MAIN RESEARCH THEMES
Legal research for contemporary societies
01
Constitutional legality and private law
The direct application of constitutional principles to private relationships, legal transactions, markets, civil liability and the protection of individuals.
02
Fundamental and human rights
The recognition, constitutionalisation and judicial protection of fundamental rights at national, European and international levels.
03
Law, technology and sustainability
Artificial intelligence, robotics, digital citizenship, green technologies, bioethics, access to public services and the protection of individuals in technologically advanced markets.
04
Pluralism, emergencies and global society
The protection of rights in contexts characterised by cultural, ethical, political and religious pluralism, emergencies and tensions between universal principles and different legal and social traditions.
RESEARCH PROFILE
Curricula
CURRICULUM 01
Civil Law and Constitutional Legality
Curriculum lead: Prof. Lucia Ruggeri
The curriculum adopts a legal methodology based on the direct and immediate application of constitutional principles to private-law relationships. It focuses on rights, remedies, legal transactions and private relationships, with particular attention to protecting individuals in different types of markets.
Research combines civil law with comparative analysis and examines institutions and legal rules within different national and supranational systems. Sustainability and the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda form an important part of this perspective.
The curriculum also investigates the impact of artificial intelligence, robotics, green technologies, medical science and bioethics on private law, civil liability and the protection of individuals. It maintains close links with advanced civil-law research networks and nationally and internationally funded projects.
CURRICULUM 02
Fundamental Rights in the Global Society
Curriculum lead: Prof. Carlotta Latini
The curriculum examines human and fundamental rights from European and international perspectives. It prepares researchers to analyse the global diffusion of the language of rights and their constitutionalisation within national and supranational legal systems.
Research addresses the relationship between universalism and particularism and the interpretation of rights within different cultural, political, ethical and religious contexts. Historical, philosophical and comparative approaches play a central role.
Recent research includes emergency law, environmental sustainability, digital citizenship, technological innovation and simplified access to personal and public services. International cooperation supports research and training on human rights, inclusive citizenship and sustainable universities.
ACADEMIC GOVERNANCE
Coordinator and PhD Programme Board
A broad national and international academic community
The programme is coordinated by Prof. Paolo Bianchi and supported by a scientifically qualified PhD Programme Board representing different fields of private, public, comparative, international, historical and social research.
The Board includes academics from UNICAM, other Italian universities and qualified international universities and research institutions, contributing to the comparative and global character of the programme.
DOCTORAL TRAINING
Research-led and interdisciplinary education
A structured pathway to independent legal research
The programme combines individual research with transversal courses provided by UNICAM, common activities for all PhD candidates and specialist activities associated with each curriculum.
Training includes lectures, seminars, workshops, participation in research groups, tutoring, supplementary teaching, academic writing and the preparation of reports, articles and collective publications.
PhD candidates are also involved in the preparation of national and international research projects and in activities aimed at disseminating and communicating research results to academic and non-academic audiences.
Educational activities 2025/2026
Current vertical educational activities for the first and second years of the active doctoral cycles.
4 activities · 28 ECTS · 196 total hours
| Educational activity | Curriculum | Lecturers | Code | ECTS | Hours | Year | Semester | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diritto e storia dell’emergenza | Fundamental Rights in the Global Society | Paolo Bianchi Carlotta Latini Sandra Spuntarelli |
DOLS013 | 7 | 49 | 1st–2nd | II | Pass/fail |
| Responsabilità civile | Civil Law and Constitutional Legality | Maria Paola Mantovani | DOLS011 | 7 | 49 | 1st–2nd | II | Pass/fail |
| Diritto civile e interpretazione “secondo Costituzione” | Civil Law and Constitutional Legality | Lucia Ruggeri | DOLS012 | 7 | 49 | 1st–2nd | II | Pass/fail |
| Diritto e innovazione | Fundamental Rights in the Global Society | Carlotta Latini S. Rodolfo Masera T. Guarnier |
DOLS014 | 7 | 49 | 1st–2nd | II | Pass/fail |
The table presents the complete vertical educational offer currently available for the academic year 2025/2026. The offer will be updated at the beginning of Cycle XLII.
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
Academic writing, project design and dissemination
The programme supports the publication of doctoral research in national and international journals and collective works. PhD candidates are encouraged to organise seminars, training and public-engagement activities and to contribute to the design of Italian and international research projects.
RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
Legal research facilities and resources
School of Law research spaces
PhD candidates work in equipped rooms at the School of Law and have access to dedicated study areas, online services and the Law Library. Candidates in the civil-law curriculum may also use the computer facilities and study rooms of the School of Advanced Studies in Civil Law.
An extensive legal library collection
The Law Library and the School of Advanced Studies in Civil Law together provide more than 320,000 printed volumes, approximately 1,100 electronic books and extensive collections of Italian and international legal journals covering all the programme’s research fields.
Legal databases and digital services
Available databases and digital resources include DeJure, DoGI, Il Foro Italiano, HeinOnline, Infoleges, IusExplorer, the Italian Official Gazette, Journal Citation Reports and international legal literature. The UNICAM Digital Memory project also provides online access to historical works and documents.
CAREER PERSPECTIVES
Academic research, legal professions and public leadership
The programme prepares researchers for academic careers in Italian and international universities and research institutions and develops the specialised and interdisciplinary skills required for advanced legal research.
Graduates may pursue careers in the judiciary, legal practice and the notarial profession or take senior and specialist roles in ministries, public administrations, public organisations and private companies.
The programme also prepares professionals for international and non-governmental organisations operating in human rights, social rights, employment services, international cooperation and sustainable development.
INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION
International legal research and mobility
Internationalisation is an essential component of the programme. Each PhD candidate carries out at least one semester of research at a foreign university or research institution selected according to the doctoral project.
The programme promotes cotutelle agreements, comparative research and cooperation with universities and institutions in Europe, Latin America and other regions. International members of the PhD Programme Board contribute to its teaching and research activities.
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ACCREDITATION AND QUALITY
Positive ANVUR evaluation – Cycle XLII
For the academic year 2026/2027, ANVUR issued a positive evaluation and proposed the accreditation of the PhD programme in Legal and Social Sciences.
The requirements concerning the composition and scientific qualification of the PhD Programme Board, scholarships, programme sustainability, operational and scientific facilities and the doctoral training project were considered satisfied.
The evaluation records an average of 65 hours of doctoral education per year for each cycle. The training is clearly distinguished from first- and second-cycle degree teaching and is closely connected with advanced research and interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary education.
Admission and current calls
The number and type of available positions, scholarships, research topics and application deadlines are established annually by the official admission call.
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Contacts and programme support
Contact the Programme Coordinator, the curriculum leads or the ISAS Administrative Office for academic and administrative information.