Doctoral research

The life of a research unit is, for a large part of its activities, animated and supported by the challenges of research training through research. Hosted and supervised by his thesis director, the doctoral student is one of the fundamental criteria for the credibility and recognition of a laboratory. It is mobilized for the implementation of research work, solicited for publications, events, evaluations and any other collective action likely to promote the development of the research unit and the generational renewal of its internal competences.

The stakes of thethesis registration broadly defines such and such institutional action or scientific orientation at three successive levels: first, at the level of scientific relations based on thematic and methodological affinities established by researchers and teachers with their academic colleagues; second, through this first level a second level of relations is created, of the disciplinary field, between a research unit and a doctoral school of the university, likely to accept a thesis application. This second level opens the third and final level of relations, this time between institutions: the school of architecture enters into a partnership by agreement with the university or the research and higher education pole (PRES), which finally gives the right to defend a thesis and obtain the doctoral degree.

Each year in these institutions, theses are supported by PhD students who are mostly architects. The Ministry of Culture recognizes the vital role of this activity, actively supporting it. The first support scheme, in particular the Special Education Allowance (AES), gave way to doctoral contract, allowing beneficiaries to be better integrated into the school’s research and teaching system.

Within the framework of a permanent action for the construction of the national research area in architecture, urban planning and landscape, the organization of doctoral meetings in architecture launched periodically by the research units receives the support of the sub-Directorate for Higher Education and Research (SDESRA), as it allows young doctoral students to present their research to the entire scientific community work in progress, and identify new avenues for research.

Organized since 2010, they were successively hosted at the ENSA in Nantes, Paris-Belleville, Marseille, Paris-La Villette, Lyon and Paris–Val-de-Seine.

The seventh edition of the doctoral meetings will take place at ENSA Toulouse.

Information:

Coordinator of doctoral policy
marc.vantorhoudt@culture.gouv.fr