established with the very first cycle
A Renowned Program
Established with the very first cycle of doctoral programs in Italy, the PhD Program in Psychological Sciences at the University of Padova proudly welcomes its 41st cohort of doctoral candidates on November 1, 2025. Over four decades, our program has cultivated a vibrant community of scholars whose research spans the full spectrum of psychological inquiry, from basic processes to real-world applications. The tradition and reputation built across these years are reflected in the achievements of our alumni, who now contribute to academic institutions and research centers worldwide
From its foundation, the program has stood out for several defining features that together shape our educational vision and research culture
learning science by doing science
Learning by Doing: Training Through Research
We adopt a distinctive research-oriented approach based on the principle of learning by doing. Our doctoral candidates are fully engaged in research from the very beginning of their training, learning science by doing science. This hands-on philosophy fosters methodological rigor, critical thinking, and intellectual independence. Students acquire a solid research mindset through direct participation in high-quality projects, comprehensive training in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. Our goal is to form scientists capable of designing, conducting, and disseminating innovative research that advances psychological knowledge
comprehensive methodological training
Methodological Breadth and Cross-Disciplinary Foundations
A further hallmark of our program is the emphasis on comprehensive methodological training. Through a rich and diverse curriculum, all doctoral candidates acquire strong competencies in research design, statistics, and data analysis — tools that cut across the various domains of psychological science. This transversal structure ensures that each candidate can apply methodological knowledge to their specific area of interest, from cognitive to social, clinical, and developmental psychology. Complemented by thematic seminars and advanced tutorials, this training equips our graduates to contribute with originality and rigor to the advancement of psychological research.
This research mindset provides an exceptional foundation for careers beyond academia, where the ability to think critically, analyse complex problems, and generate evidence-based solutions is increasingly essential
dialogue and exchange
International Outlook and Collaboration
Internationalization and Global Research Experience
Scientific excellence emerges from dialogue and exchange. Our PhD Program puts a strong emphasis on internationalization, encouraging collaboration across borders and exposure to diverse research cultures. Students are required to spend a training and research period abroad, working in leading international laboratories. This experience has always characterised the history of our PhD Program and remains central to our vision of preparing globally minded researchers
Dissemination and English as the Academic Language
Our candidates are also actively involved in international conferences and scientific meetings, and most of their research is disseminated in English-language journals. Since the 30th cycle, the entire program has been delivered in English, consolidating our open and international academic environment
Collaboration and Supervisory Support
The program actively encourages inter-laboratory cooperation within our own doctoral community, promoting synergy and shared expertise among students and faculty. Particular attention is devoted to supporting the supervisor–doctoral candidate relationship, aided by the presence of four trained mediators and a dedicated dialogue facilitation tool specifically developed within our program to help sustain constructive and transparent communication