Doctoral Research Programme

MARGIN (PK 061), a doctoral cluster funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation (HBF), brings together twelve scholarship holders at two locations – the Cologne University of Applied Sciences and the University of Duisburg‑Essen. The Foundation’s scholarships are awarded for an initial period of three years and may be extended in certain cases. Further information on doctoral funding offered by the HBS can be found here .

Doctoral candidates may pursue their PhD either at the University of Duisburg‑Essen (Faculty of Educational Sciences) or at the Doctoral College (PK) NRW, Department of Social Affairs and Health. Candidates who are not directly funded through MARGIN but work on related dissertation projects can become associate members of the cluster and participate in the summer and winter schools. Further information on fellows’ and associated candidates’ individual research projects are available here .

The doctoral cluster is jointly directed by Prof. Sigrid Leitner (Cologne University of Applied Sciences) and Prof. Simone Leiber (University of Duisburg‑Essen). Supervision is primarily provided by six professors from both institutions who collaborate in supervisory teams. In addition, further faculty members also contribute to doctoral supervision. The post-doctoral position and research group coordinator is based at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences: Our Team 

Regular meetings are held at each respective location, as well as monthly meetings including the whole cluster. Twice a year, the entire group of doctoral students gathers at joint summer or winter schools to exchange ideas on research methodology and specific disciplinary issues. Issue networks of doctoral students working on related topics are formed across locations.