2025/2026 EDITION WILL TAKE PLACE IN NOVA FCSH.
Presentation
The PhD in Anthropology is the result of a partnership between Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa and NOVA FCSH, two of the most prestigious institutions in the field of social sciences and humanities in Portugal.
Drawing on the academic, scientific, and human resources of both universities, the programme offers advanced training in anthropology with strong national and international recognition.
Doctoral students benefit from a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and collaborative academic environment, with privileged access to leading research centres, particularly CRIA – Centre for Research in Anthropology.
Welcoming research projects across diverse areas of anthropology — including political, urban, and medical anthropology, postcolonial studies, heritage, migration, and environmental issues — the programme encourages the development of original and socially relevant research.
Designed for candidates with a solid academic background and a strong motivation to contribute to the advancement of anthropological knowledge, the PhD aims to train highly qualified researchers and professionals, prepared to engage in a wide range of academic, institutional, and social contexts.
Objectives
General:
- to provide in-depth theoretical, conceptual and methodological elements for the study of Anthropology;
- to provide students with the conditions for debating fundamental themes appropriate to the level of advanced training;
- to develop critical thinking skills;
- to equip students with the skills necessary for research;
- to enable students to carry out independent work.
Learning:
- ability to research independently;
- competence to debate complex issues by developing the capacity for synthesis;
- a grasp of the concepts, theories and methodologies inherent in the development of research work in Anthropology;
- extension of the contributions of anthropology to other areas.
- ability to present complex intellectual problems clearly and coherently in writing or orally;
- ability to undertake documental research, fieldwork and write long documents;
- capacity to understand and relate complex phenomena in different social and geographical contexts.
Curricular structure
Duration: 8 semesters. Total Credits: 240 credits (60 in curricular units + 180 in the non-taught component).
Modalities of non-taught component: Thesis.
The degree of Doctor corresponds to level 8 of the NQF/EQF - National Qualifications Framework/European Qualifications Framework.
Coordination
Faculty staff
- Amélia Frazão Moreira
- Antónia Pedroso de Lima (ISCTE-IUL)
- João Leal
- Jorge Freitas Branco (ISCTE-IUL)
- José Mapril
- Maria Cardeira da Silva
- Miguel Vale de Almeida (ISCTE-IUL)
- Nélia Dias (ISCTE-IUL)
- Paula Godinho
- Paulo Raposo (ISCTE-IUL)
- Pedro Prista (ISCTE-IUL)