+49 234 32 10225
isabelle.kunze@pknrw.de
Do you have any questions about the Department or need further information? Please contact us.
Our Offer
The Department of Social and Health Affairs trains its early-career researchers within a structured doctoral program that offers a wide range of benefits.
Targeted Qualification
By participating in lectures, seminars, workshops, and colloquia offered by the department and the Doctoral School NRW, doctoral candidates expand their academic expertise and strengthen their methodological and transferable skills, equipping themselves for future careers inside or outside academia
Intensive Supervision
Doctoral candidates benefit from supervision by three professors, regular progress meetings, and a mandatory supervision agreement.
Interdisciplinary Networking
The department understands itself as a networking platform. Doctoral candidates exchange ideas within their own research communities and in inter- and transdisciplinary contexts.
Services for Doctoral Candidates
In addition, the department offers the following:
- Mailing list (e.g., event announcements, tips on cooperative doctoral studies, department information). If you are interested in joining the mailing list, please contact the department coordinator.
- Advice from the department coordinator (cooperative doctoral studies, issues in the doctoral process, admission to the department, funding, supervision options).
- Initial academic guidance from professorial members of the department (preliminary consultation during the initiation phase: first thematic and content-related advice and mediation of supervisors) – see contacts below.
- Academic exchange, qualification, and networking (e.g., at conferences and workshops – see Events).
Cooperative doctoral candidates are warmly invited to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the structured doctoral program and to network with fellow doctoral candidates and professors across the boundaries of their universities of applied sciences and cooperating universities.
Doctoral Program 'Shaping Social and Health Change'
Content
The program focuses on the research and analysis of services and participation opportunities within healthcare and social welfare systems, social work, or social security systems from the perspective of different members of society.
Target Group
Doctoral candidates with a degree in social or health sciences who are pursuing doctoral projects related to the topics and research questions of the program.
Doctoral Degrees
Dr. phil.
Dr. rer. pol.
Language
German
Program Duration
3 years
Admission and Enrollment
You can apply for acceptance and enrollment at any time. Please note the information on admission and enrollment as well as our dates and deadlines.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Isabelle Kunze (isabelle.kunze@pknrw.de).
Leitfaden zur Erstellung eines Exposés
der Abteilung Soziales und Gesundheit (.pdf)
Doctoral Degree Regulations
of the Department of Social and Health Affairs of the Doctoral School for Applied Research in North Rhine-Westphalia from 27.04.2023 (.pdf)
Framework Doctoral Degree Regulations
of the Doctoral School for Applied Research in North Rhine-Westphalia dated 31.01.2023 in the version dated 05.05.2025 (.pdf)
Dr. Isabelle Kunze
Coordination of the Deparment of Social and Health Affairs
Dr. Stefanie Dahl
Coordination of the Deparment of Social and Health Affairs
+49 234 32 10308
sefanie.dahl@pknrw.de
Do you have any questions about the Department or need further information? Please contact us.
