The subject area of the Doctoral School is located at the interface of arts and knowledges and is intended to contribute to the integration and expansion of knowledge in both fields. The academic dissertation projects deal with phenomena, concepts and processes of social change in the context of the arts and their public spheres. In terms of their thematic and methodological orientation, they will aim to combine exploratory and research approaches from academic disciplines as well as cultural, curatorial and artistic fields of practice. A variety of perspectives can be adopted in relation to disciplines and issues. In line with the objectives of the Inter-University Organization Arts & Knowledges, the School is transdisciplinary and offers a framework for networked research and work. The Doctoral School promotes and imparts theoretical understanding and methodological skills at postgraduate level. In particular, the relationship between theory and practice of the arts and cultural forms of articulation is reflected upon. The aim is to support doctoral students in making an independent contribution to academic and artistic research. The doctoral students’ academic projects address the topic of “Cultures in Transformation”.

Nicole Haitzinger (Department of Music and Dance Studies, Paris Lodron University Salzburg) is the academic director of the college. Since October 1 2025, Johanna Zorn is academic co-director (March 1, 2022, – Sept. 2025 it was Lucia D’Errico). Anita Moser (Focus Area Contemporary Art and Cultural Production) is the managing director of the doctoral college. Roswitha Gabriel supports the doctoral students in all organizational matters.

Header image: Front, from left: Maré Tulio Jenzer, Anna Menslin, Johanna Zorn, Ewa Meister, Julieta Jacobi. Back, from left:: Kinga Toth, Anita Moser, Fernanda Ermelindo Rodrigues, Leandra Wilhelm, Zuzana Ernst, Roswitha Gabriel, Nicole Haitzinger. Photo: © Helena Kalleitner.

The current cohort of the 4 year Doctoral School takes place from 2024 until 2028.
The School is funded by the state of Salzburg, University Salzburg and Mozarteum University.
Doctoral students study in the Inter-University Doctoral Program in Arts & Knowledges. Upon successful completion of the program, the academic degree Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded.
(Note: The Doctoral School and the Inter-University Doctoral Program are not the same. Applications for the Doctoral School are not currently being accepted. However, applications for the Inter-University Doctoral Program in Arts & Knowledges are accepted at any time.

Contact: roswitha.gabriel@plus.ac.at

Initial information on the Inter-University Doctoral Program

Curriculum

Implementing Provisions

Sponsored by: Land Salzburg,Referat 1/02: Wirtschafts-, Wissenschafts- und Forschungsförderung