PhD program in International Environment and Development studies at the Department for International Environment and Development Studies.

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1 INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES The Regulations for the Degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences apply for the PhD education. The regulations concern the objectives of, responsibility for, admission to, and implementation and completion of the PhD education, including collaboration on PhD education with another degree-conferring institution. For all references in the text, these Regulations apply. STUDY PROGRAMME PhD program in International Environment and Development studies at the Department for International Environment and Development Studies. MAIN OBJECTIVES What characterizes the study program in International Environment and Development Studies is how it integrates development issues with research on environmental problems and natural resource management, resource rights and conflicts, human security, environmental governance, agricultural development and food security. The PhD Program in International Environment and Development Studies has a clear interdisciplinary profile both in recruitment of candidates and in the topics and problem areas investigated. PLACE IN THE NORWEGIAN QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK Level 8, philosophiae doctor (PhD) DEGREE ON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAMME OF STUDY PhD SCOPE The PhD programme has a nominal duration of three years' full-time study, divided into a minimum of 30 credits for the PhD education and 2.5 years for research work and completion of the dissertation. OWNER AND CONTACT DETAILS Department for International Environment and Development Studies COLLABORATION WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS The study is conducted at NMBU and affiliated institutions. Most PhD candidates conduct research in collaboration with other research institutions, often from the Global South. SOCIETAL RELEVANCE This PhD program is at the heart of NMBU s mandate (samfunnsoppdrag) with its focus on global challenges related to environmental and climate change, sustainable food production and natural resources management and the governance implications for people s rights and well-being. Graduated candidates are employed by research institutions, international organisations, NGOs, and governments.

2 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND FUNDING See sections 5 and 6. Admission as a PhD student is contingent on the applicant having an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year Norwegian programme of study, where 120 credits are at the master's degree level. The applicant must have achieved learning outcomes corresponding to the descriptions given in the Norwegian qualifications framework's second cycle. The applicant must have a strong academic background from previous studies. LEARNING OUTCOMES KNOWLEDGE Be at the forefront of knowledge in international environment and development studies and has a systematic understanding of scholarly theories and methods in the field. Has interdisciplinary understanding of environment-development relations and a critical knowledge of development theories, policies and practices with due regard to diversity and complexity. Contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories and methods in the field. SKILLS Formulate critical questions and design and implement research at an internationally high level in environment and development studies. Contributed through original research to new knowledge that merits publication in national or international refereed journals. Handle interdisciplinarity and complexity, create an overview and synthesize scientific and scholarly information. Capable of critical analysis and offering constructive criticism of scientific, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work, in environment and development studies. GENERAL COMPETENCE Identify new relevant ethical issues and carry out his/her research with scholarly integrity. Manage an interdisciplinary and critical approach to issues related to global processes, environmental problems and/or development policies, linking these to meso- and micro-level processes as well as focusing on issues of equity, democratisation and global power relations. Disseminate research and development work through recognised national and international channels and take part in scientific debates in international arenas. Place his/her own research within larger scientific and societal contexts. Draw on knowledge from social and natural sciences and present approaches that integrate the political economic, cultural and ecological aspects of change at macro, meso and micro levels, given the programme s multi- and inter- disciplinary nature.

3 LEARNING ACTIVITIES PhD candidates are trained in working independently throughout the whole program. Candidates must complete coursework, carry out (field) research and evaluate methods, obtain the necessary literature, data and consult supervisors or the larger academic community to receive feedback on their work. It is emphasized that research work should be of high quality, which requires that candidates are able to work and think independently. Doctoral candidates are part of active research teams and clusters at the department. Most candidates participate in teaching and supervision activities for the department s bachelor and master students. EVALUATION OF LEARNING OUTCOMES The degree of philosophiae doctor (PhD) is awarded on the basis of: Approved completion of the required coursework An approved doctoral thesis An approved trial lecture on a specified topic An approved public defence of the doctoral thesis (disputation) See section 12. ACADEMIC CONTENT AND STRUCTURE Development Studies relate to problem-oriented research directed at processes of change, aiming at providing knowledge and increased understanding of the complexities of development processes. Based on critical analysis, Development Studies may be committed to identifying best practices or proposing alternative ways of conceiving the issues and problems studied. Environment and Development Studies can be defined as the study of the interface of society and nature with the intention of contributing to the improvement of sustainability. The programme has a clear interdisciplinary profile and focusses on the linkages between social and political processes and the challenges of global and local environmental problems, focusing on issues of sustainable resource management and global justice. ACADEMIC TRAINING COMPONENT The PhD programme in International Environment and Development Studies at Noragric follows the general criteria and requirements defined by the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and is undertaken in collaboration with the other NMBU departments. According to the University requirements, each PhD education plan should include between 30 and 60 ECTS of coursework, which corresponds to half a year to one year. Noragric has defined a minimum of 30 ECTS of coursework. These ECTS should cover courses in: International Environment and Development Studies for and by PhD students EDS430, 15 ECTS obligatory course Research Methodology in Development Studies - EDS415, 5 ECTS obligatory course Research Ethics and Philosophy of Science - PHI402, 10 ECTS obligatory course Problem-oriented courses of relevance to the topic of each dissertation within Environment and Development Studies INDEPENDENT RESEARCH COMPONENT In addition to the required course work, a PhD candidate at Noragric will give three major seminars associated with the research project. At each point, Noragric will provide academic advice and feedback on the research project and progress. These presentations represent three milestones for the PhD candidate before the dissertation and they all have important pedagogical functions. The first - the start seminar - plays a significant administrative role as it prepares for the final admission to the PhD programme. The formal initiation of PhD studies at Noragric is contingent on a student s satisfactory and timely completion and approval of a study plan, including project proposal, education plan, budget and PhD agreement. The second

4 milestone - a midterm seminar - provides an important intermediate evaluation and check of progress. The third milestone an end seminar is meant to provide the student with a simulated thesis defence experience. INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE PhD candidates are recruited internationally and most PhD candidates conduct research in collaboration with research institutions in the Global South. Candidates are encouraged to present their work in international conferences. RESEARCH COMMUNITY LINKED TO THE PROGRAMME OF STUDY Environment and Development Studies need to address new contexts, relations and challenges such as global governance, accountability, rights, transformation of the world economy, social movements, conflicts and peace-keeping, citizenship, the role of consumers, genetic engineering of food sovereignty, etc. Considering globalisation issues, Noragric focuses on these overlapping areas of concentration and expertise, organised in the following research clusters: Environmental Governance Conflict, Human Security and Development Climate Change, Agriculture and Development Rights and Power in Development Upon admission, PhD candidates will be offered affiliation to a research cluster. The cluster, represented by the potential main supervisor, will also participate actively in outlining the final research project proposal and serve as a reference group throughout the study period. Many of the candidates that do field work abroad have a co-supervisor at an institution (university, or research centre) where the field research is conducted. RESEARCH WORK IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAMME OF STUDY All candidates are admitted to the programme based on a research proposal, which is developed by the candidate him/herself. SUPPORT FUNCTIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE Upon admission, PhD candidates will be offered affiliation to a research cluster. The cluster will also participate actively in outlining the final research project proposal and serve as a reference group throughout the study period. The Department also has one administrative advisor who deals with all PhD related issues. EXCHANGES All compulsory courses can be taken during the first and early second semester such that longer periods can be used for fieldwork and data collection. ACCESSIBILITY General information about universal design and special arrangements at NMBU:

5 WORDING OF THE DIPLOMA The PhD program in International Environment and Development Studies integrates development issues with research on environmental problems and natural resource management, resource rights and conflicts, human security, environmental governance, agricultural development and food security. The program has a clear interdisciplinary profile and relates to problem-oriented research directed at processes of change, aiming at providing knowledge and increased understanding of the complexities of development processes. Based on critical analysis, Development Studies may be committed to identifying best practices or proposing alternative ways of conceiving the issues and problems studied. A candidate with this degree Is at the forefront of knowledge in international environment and development studies and has a systematic understanding of scholarly theories and methods in the field. Can formulate critical questions and design and implement research at an internationally high level in environment and development studies. Has contributed through original research to new knowledge that merits publication in national or international refereed journals. Is capable of critical analysis and offering constructive criticism of scientific, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work, in environment and development studies. Can place his/ her own research within larger scientific and societal context. The programme is based on the general description of the PhD education at NMBU, and is regulated by the Regulations for the Degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.