Development of the PhD area and the third cycle at ZHdK is an integral part of the ZHdK Strategy 2019–23. In the area of early stage researchers promotion, the goal is to create a structural framework, define quality standards, consolidate research skills, and improve synergies between teaching and research. To this end, a doctoral strategy was developed in 2019 and, building on this, a concept for a new PhD organisational structure, which was approved by the University Board on 8.7.2020.
The PhD Centre was established and mandated with setting up the new structure, processes and institution-wide offers. Currently, several concepts are being developed to define PhD framework conditions in close collaboration with the PhD Commission.
The doctorate activities follow the quality standards of the «Florence Principles on the Doctorate in the Arts» and the «Salzburg Declaration – Towards more inclusive learning environments in Europe».