Analytical Methods and Theory Building (2016)

Welcome to Analytical Methods and Theory Building

Description:

A Ph.D. course in Analytical Methods and Theory Building will be offered jointly by Aalborg University (AAU), Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The course is intended for students already familiar with Science and Technology Studies (STS), at a stage in their dissertation work where the analysis of already gathered empirical materials is in focus. Course supervision will emphasize each participant’s individual Ph.D. projects, in relation to the course’s subject matter.

Central in the course is a focus on how analytical methods contribute in the unfolding and synthesizing of empirical material. Drawing primarily on STS in relation to participants’ own projects, the course will focus on:

  1. working reflexively with the scoping and treatment of empirical material vis-à-vis the process of theory building;
  2. ontological issues entailed in handling empirical material in terms of its gathering, treatment and dissemination; and
  3. discussing how one may position one’s work in relation to relevant scholarly and empirical fields.

The maximum number of participants is 15 and the minimum number of participants is 8. We welcome applicants particularly engaged in the broad field of design-related studies (sustainable transition, design engineering, science and modelling, practice studies, etc.) at the interstices of STS and Design.

Preparations and assignments

Participants are expected to prepare a brief project description catered towards the course (see further details below), as part of the application procedure.

In addition for those accepted:

  • you will be given a syllabus to be read prior to the start of the course,
  • you are to submit  a sample draft illustrating your on-going empirical analysis on the order of 3 pages. Deadline: one week prior to the first assembly in May/June,
  • you are to give a 10 minute presentation of your Ph.D. project prepared in advanced of the first assembly.

 

During the interim between the May/June and August dates, the participants are to unfold the empirical analysis reflecting the discussions from the May/June session, in the form of a revised 5-page draft (excluding illustrations and references).

How to apply:

It is a requirement that you are at least nine months into you dissertation work, including at least into 6 months of empirical work by the time of application.

 

Application to the course is to be made by e-mail to Yutaka Yoshinaka: yosh@dtu.dk and should contain the following:

- Your motivation for wishing to enrol in the Ph.D. course. You may relate the course’s subject matter (STS) to any theoretical and methodological challenges or concerns you may have at the time of your application.

- A brief document (2 pages), submitted in Word, comprising of a project description, you might have at hand, of your PhD. project, including a delineation of some tentative analytical questions relating to STS and indication of the empirical area of inquiry.

Inquiry regarding the application process or about the course in general, may be directed to Yutaka Yoshinaka..

Organizers: Assistant Professor Søsser Brodersen, e-mail: sbro@plan.aau.dk and  Associate Professor Yutaka Yoshinaka, email: yosh@dtu.dk

Lecturers: Assistant Professor Søsser Brodersen and  Associate Professor Yutaka Yoshinaka

ECTS: 5.0

Time:

Part 1: May 31-June 1, 2016 (2 days)

Part 2: August 17-18, 2016 (2 days)

Place:

Part 1: Aalborg University, Copenhagen, A. C. Meyers Vænge 15, room ACM15 3.084A

Part 2: Technical University of Denmark, Anker Engelunds Vej 1

City:

Part 1: 2450 Copenhagen SV

Part 2: 2800 Kgs. Lyngby

 

Number of seats: 12

Deadline: May 10, 2016

 

Important information concerning PhD courses: We have over some time experienced problems with no-show for both project and general courses. It has now reached a point where we are forced to take action. Therefore, the Doctoral School has decided to introduce a no-show fee of DKK 5,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately three months before start. This can hopefully also provide new students a chance to register for courses during the year. We look forward to your registrations.