Programme overview

Period Courses

1-12 March 2021
(cohort 2021)

7-18 March 2022
(cohort 2022)

6-17 March 2023
(cohort 2023)

Basic Course 1: PhD Research Methods

Presentation of the initial research idea and discussion of research possibilities, to the GPAC2 cohort and institute staff

Research Skills: an introduction to STATA, Zotero, and literature search techniques., Introduction to the GPAC2 individual coaching trajectory

Introduction to the MGSoG / UNU-MERIT research community

Online course between March and June: Introduction to Statistics and Statistical Analysis


7-18 June 2021
(cohort 2021)

7-17 June 2020
(cohort 2022)

5-16 June 2023
(cohort 2023)

Basic Course 2: Research Design (qualitative and quantitative design choices)

Basic Course 3: Introduction to Econometric Analysis

Basic Course 4: Qualitative Research Data Collection

Presentation and Discussion of the research proposals, to the GPAC2 cohort and institute staff

Research Skills: statistical analysis with STATA, Qualitative data collection and analysis with AtlasTI, Giving and Receiving feedback

Specialisation Courses: A selection of one or two courses, out of a tablet of elective courses. The choice options will change over time, depending on available staff.


1-12 November 2021
(cohort 2021)

7-18 November 2022
(cohort 2022)

6-17 November 2023
(cohort 2023)

Basic Course 5: Qualitative Data Analysis

Basic Course 6: Advanced econometric analysis

Basic Course 7: Qualitative Comparative Analysis methodology, Small N statistics and Q Methodology.

Presentation and Discussion of the research proposals, to the GPAC2 cohort and institute staff


Jan-Feb 2021
(cohort 2020)

Jan-Feb 2022
(cohort 2021)

Jan-Feb 2023
(cohort 2022)

Jan-Feb 2024
(cohort 2023)

Submission of final research proposal

Written comments and admission decision to GPAC² year 2


Higher year cohort

21-25 June 2021

15-19 November 2021

20-25 June 2022

14-18 November 2022

19-23 June 2023

13-17 November 2023

Research workshop, including presentations and discussions, progress meetings, master classes and keynote lectures, coaching and skills development

UNU-MERIT