Joint PhD Programme of UNU-MERIT and MGSoG – (Ph.D.)

Contents

Training programme

During the first year, you will complete a basic compulsory training programme conducted by members of our faculty and visitors from leading institutions in the field. The courses are offered in Maastricht and divided into two semesters. Semester one contains a selection of courses to be taken by all fellows. In semester two, a selection of specialization courses is offered, and fellows will select their individual course programme, based on background knowledge, need and interest.

Course descriptions

PhD Research Methods The course has three objectives. First, students will be acquainted with the broad range of research methods and learn the potential advantages and disadvantages of various methods. Second, this course aims to familiarize students with the different phases of research and typical problems encountered in these phases, and offer an opportunity for learning the principles of research design. Moreover, we will emphasise which issues on research design need to be dealt with in research proposals.

The course is based on interactive lectures, information sessions and applied sessions, in which the students need to relate their current research ideas to the issues discussed. The textbook and articles from the research literature will be used to confront students with typical problems of research methods. Discussions allow students to gain insights into these problems and to identify potential solutions. During discussions we point to the interdependences and trade-offs among various options and help the student to learn how to make realistic choices. Ultimately the student should have sufficient knowledge and skills to understand what it takes to independently set up and conduct a research study.
The emphasis of the course will be on the logic of research and the requirements of research design. Most issues addressed are generic and appear throughout the field of social sciences. The applications used in this course are mainly studies conducted at MGSOG.

Science and Public Policy

Economics of NetworksThe goal of this course is to introduce students to the relatively new field of networks. The modelling of economic activity using social network analysis tools can be very useful in furthering understanding of a wide variety of phenomena. Our interest will focus in particular on how network analysis can shed light on innovation and knowledge creation and diffusion.

The course is taught simultaneously in two locations, Maastricht and Strasbourg, via a video link. Half the lectures will be given in Maastricht and half in Strasbourg, each time with a video link to the other location. This has worked (surprisingly) well for the past two years, so we continue the experiment.

Beginning on the next page is a rather extensive reading list, covering the major topics of the course. It is not necessary to read everything, but you should read at least some of the readings from every topic. The readings considered most central are marked with an asterisk.

Innovation and Growth in the Global EconomyCombined course covering topics like:
The global economy, Basics of Economic Growth, Capital Flows, Knowledge and Uneven Development, Endogenous Growth, Growth in Asia and Latin-America, Endogenous and Divergent Growth, Globalization, Economic Crisis and Growth, Growth in an Open Economy, Perspectives on Dynamic Economic Theory, Alternative and Equivalent Growth Models.

An Introduction to Governance and Policy Analysis

Basic EconometricsThe challenge of econometrics is to find out what everyday reality, properly recorded and interpreted, can tell us about the relevance of economic and social theories. Governance theories often concern the effects of economic and social policies, and it is the purpose of econometric methods to measure the impact and assess the effectiveness of policy interventions.

The drawback of econometric methods is that they depend on statistical induction. Besides being fraught with technicalities, statistical induction is unavoidably subject to statistical error. Whereas a mathematical conclusion is arguably ‘exact’, a statistical conclusion is not – even though deep mathematical arguments may have been invoked in the process. Thus every decent statistical estimate comes with a ‘standard error’ attached to it, revealing the scale of the sampling error it contains. Furthermore, ordinary sampling error is insignificant compared to other kinds of statistical error, called (imaginatively) non-sampling errors. These are much harder to control and require more subtle methods of statistical analysis. Unfortunately non-sampling errors are conspicuously present in economic and social policy research.

The subject matter of this course is the use of (mainstream) econometric methods in economic and social policy research. Some prior exposure to econometrics at least at an introductory level is assumed. This should include the mathematical formulation of economic theories as well as the concept of a statistical model. The course explicitly aims to combine theoretical insight with empirical practice and group activity. Participants will study the theory, read about applications, process data using econometric software (Stata or EViews), prepare a presentation and conduct discussions. Hence a lot of personal involvement and social commitment will be required. A willingness to think formally and get one’s hands dirty is essential.

Economics and Econometrics of InnovationThis module starts with an introduction and overview: goals and methodologies for empirical micro studies, connecting theory to empirical work. The module continues with productivity measurement and R&D; production functions and frontiers; measuring TFP correcting for scale effects and non-optimal input holding. Then we estimate the returns to R&D using production functions, including R&D capital in production functions; estimation using static and dynamic panel data models. Estimating R&D externalities, inter- and intra-industry spillovers; international spillovers; notions of rent and knowledge spillovers; measurements of proximity; geographical spillovers. Measurement and estimation of determinants of innovation, Innovation survey data; qualitative indicators; accounting for innovation. Then we look at complementarities in innovation and the effectiveness of R&D tax incentives before estimating the returns to R&D using market value. Intellectual property and incentives for innovation are also important in this course which we conclude with using patents as economic indicators hours.

Economic Growth and Socio-economic DevelopmentThis course focuses on the empirical analysis of technological progress, economic growth and socio-economic development in developing countries. The aim of the course is to analyse the position of developing countries in the global economy, with regard to technology, industrial development and overall levels of socio-economic development. Thus, it brings into discussion some critical issues such as international diffusion of technology, technology gaps, absorptive capacities, catching up and leapfrogging and changes in developmental outcomes such as health and education.

The course opens with two sessions on long run-trends in economic development and industrialization as a (potential) engine of growth and the emergence of manufacturing in developing countries since 1950. This is followed by two sessions focusing on the measurement and analysis of productivity and technological change in manufacturing. We proceed with a session on country case studies of industrial development and sessions devoted to topics such as health, education and institutions.

Public Policy Evaluation

“A theory of policy politics must start with a model of political society, that is, a model of the simplest version of society that retains the essential elements of politics. Polis the Greek word for city-state, seems a fitting name for the essential political society because it conjures up an entity small enough to have very simple forms of organization yet large enough to embody the elements of politics. In searching for the elements of politics, it is helpful to use the market model as a foil because of its predominance in contemporary policy discussions. The contrast between models of political and market society will illuminate the ways the market model grossly distorts political life”.
(Stone, Deborah 2002)

But then one might argue that this is just one way of looking at policy politics and there potentially can be other debates or perspectives to this. In addition, there is no doubt that we are regularly bombarded by conflicting views of public politics and problems. It can be difficult to sort out which (if any) of the solutions proffered by politicians, academics, civil society, pundits, and supra-statal organizations will resolve various global problems in a way which is consistent with our values and which provide viable solutions or effective implementation. Understanding the nature of public problems and how they are (or are not) resolved is essential to informed participation in these policy debates, especially when we are called to make choices (at the ballot box). At this point you may be thinking: what exactly is public policy? Public policy is what state apparatuses (officials) within a government, and by extension citizens (for whom polices are made, implemented, and carried out) represent, choose to do or not to do about public problems. Public problems include access to healthcare, education, and other basic needs; environmental degradation; work-related problems, etc; relating to conditions the people broadly perceived to be unacceptable/undesirable and therefore require intervention. Although people define their problems, the government decides which problems to address based on the most immediate priorities.

Then policy researchers, who aim to offer practical advice and solutions based on the best evidence, try to convince policy makers to have the policies implemented, monitor if they are carried out effectively, and if not suggest alternatives. Therefore having the right policy prescription is one of the key components of policy making and implementation. Also key is an understanding of the political environment of policy and policy research. So as policy researchers, like you, it is essential to know how policies are set, who are the actors, what roles they play and how, understanding public policy politics, policy implementation, controversies of policies and alternatives or the key to success.

The dissertation

At the end of the first nine months, you will present a research proposal and a detailed research plan for the remaining part of the fellowship. In defining your research topic, you will be guided by the staff of the institute, the teaching staff and partners of the research network. Supervision during the entire project will be given by a specific team of senior researchers who can provide the required expertise to guide and oversee your research.
During the following years, you will research and write your dissertation.
The programme is full-time, and based in Maastricht. Because many students do empirical research based on other countries, students often spend time abroad doing field work.

Teaching methods

Courses are offered in a dynamic setting: the programme uses interactive learning including workshops, lectures and discussion sessions. Each teacher in the programme offers a mode of instruction suitable for the course, and each course is examined in an appropriate manner.

Skills trainings

During the programme, you can participate in skills trainings that build your research and analytical skills. These include:

* research methodology and applications
* technical skills needed for research (software skills)
* research project implementation and publication
* communication and presentation of findings
* application of research findings to government policy

Research community

Balancing a career, family and academic studies is challenging. As a participant of the PhD programme you will be fully integrated into the research community of MGSoG / UNU-MERIT. The community includes in-house PhD fellows and academic staff and dual career PhD fellows.

Accreditation

* Maastricht University programmes all approved by the Dutch Ministry of Education and accredited by the Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie (NVAO), the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation
* The UM School of Business and Economics (SBE) internationally accredited by the renowned AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, making it one of a few international schools with all three accreditations. The bachelor's and master's programmes in International Business offered at SBE also received in 2010 the NVAO "certification of internationalisation".
* Bachelor's programme in European Public Health accredited by the German Akkreditierungsagentur für Studiengänge im Bereich Gesundheit und Soziales (AHPGS)

Faculty

Key lecturers

The programme brings together scholars with various disciplinary backgrounds from leading institutes across the world and practitioners from policy oriented organizations in order to initiate new research, contribute to current research and train young researchers.
The faculty of the PhD programme comprises:

• Prof. Anthony Arundel, UNU-MERIT
• Prof. Dr. Théophile Azomahou, Maastricht University
• Dr. Pascal Beckers, Urbanization and Transport Division of the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving)
• Dr. Boris Blumberg, Maastricht Univeristy
• Dr. Victor Cebotari, Maastricht University
• Dr. Sutapa Chattopadhyay, Maastricht University
• Prof. Dr. Daniele Checchi, University of Milan, Italy
• Prof. Dr. Robin Cowan, Maastricht University
• Dr. Sebastian Dellepiane, Research Fellow, University College Dublin, Ireland
• Dr. Arnaud Dupuy, Maastricht School of Management
• Dr. Franziska Gassmann, Maastricht University
• Dr. Mulu Gebreeyesus, UNU-MERIT
• Prof. dr. Peter Heller, The Johns Hopkins University, USA
• Alan Hirsch, Deputy Director General, The Presidency, South Africa
• Dr. Jojo Jacob, UNU-MERIT
• Dr. Lutz Krebs, Maastricht University
• Dr. Mindel van de Laar, Maastricht University
• Prof. Dr. Pierre Mohnen, Maastricht University.
• Prof. Cathal O' Donoghue, Teagasc Rural Economy Research Centre, Carlow, Ireland
• Prof. Dr. Shyama Ramani, Maastricht University
• Gerald Silverberg, UNU-MERIT
• Dr. Tatiana Skripka, Maastricht University
• Dr. Elspeth Slayter, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Salem State University
• Prof. Dr. Luc Soete, UNU-MERIT
• Prof. Dr. Adam Szirmai, Maastricht University
• Prof. Dr. Bart Verspagen, Maastricht University
• Dr. Adriaan van Zon, Maastricht University