PhD Programme in economics anD Policy stuDies of technical change

This PhD programme addresses economics and the role of technology in growth and development in both developed and developing countries. A broad coverage of the foundations of technical change, including theoretical, institutional and policy issues, trains students to be active participants in academic and policy debates. This programme is offered every year - the next intake will be for September, 2011. Teaching and research supervision is done by scholars from UNU-MERIT, while the PhD degree is granted by the University of Maastricht. Structure of the Programme The PhD programme has an overall length of four years and is divided into two distinct stages of study. The first stage begins in September of 2011 and lasts six months. During this stage students will take courses in the areas of economics, policy, and the institutional foundations of technical change. The coverage is broad, addressing issues of concern both in developed and developing countries. Students who achieve distinction in their coursework are invited to prepare a PhD proposal, which includes the identification of a topic, discussion of methodological issues relating to the research, and where appropriate, a discussion of the data resources to be used or developed. The proposal also identifies further areas of formal (class work and workshops) and informal study to be pursued in the course of dissertation research and writing. Upon acceptance of the proposal, students are admitted to the second stage of the programme, which involves doing the research for and writing a dissertation. While working on the thesis, a student will meet regularly with one or more supervisors for guidance and to assess progress. Upon completion, the student defends the thesis before a committee composed of University of Maastricht and external faculty.

Programme of Coursework The objectives of the courses are: To familiarize the student with the main theoretical perspectives on the role of technological change in economic growth and development. To introduce the student to a wide variety of hypotheses and puzzles in industrial dynamics and innovation trajectories; To provide the student with skills and experience in critical evaluation of the assumptions, modeling, empirical evidence and the validity of the policy and other recommendations derived from existing theories and models. To lay the foundation for original research in the field of innovation studies by solving existing puzzles and paradoxes, critiquing and modifying existing models, identifying ways to obtain more relevant empirical evidence, developing new models and deriving new policy implications. The courses for the first stage of study are based on intensive 6-week modules over a 28-week programme beginning in September. Students are expected to devote eight to ten hours per day (including class time) to their studies, and weekend work will often be necessary. The course modules outlined below should be viewed as intensive workshops in which students will be expected to cover an extensive reading list and to interact intensively with classmates and faculty members. Throughout the course work, UNU-MERIT will organize weekly research seminars. Invited speakers will include distinguished academics in the area of innovation studies and policy analysts from international organisations. The first period of 15 weeks, which will be followed by all students participating in the programme, consists of five basic modules of 6 weeks each, which are compulsory for all students. After the basic modules, students will must take and pass at least two of the extension modules, comprising a further 6 weeks. Since the extension modules are scheduled sequentially, students do have the possibility to follow all of them. In the spring several methods workshops, including one on writing a literature review and one on proposal writing, are organized to help students prepare their PhD proposals. Extension modules change from year to year, and upper year students are encouraged to sit in on courses that are of interest to their research.

Outline of courses I. Required modules I.1 The economic analysis of innovation and technological change I.2 Technical Change and Economic Growth I.3 Technology and Industrial Development in Developing Countries I.4 Economics and Econometrics of Industrial Organization and Innovation 1.5 Economics of Networks

II. Elective Modules II.1 Technology and International Trade II.2 Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) II.3 Evolutionary Perspectives on Technology and Economics II.4 Capabilities and Institutions II.5 Environmentally Sustainable Growth, Human Capital and Health II.6 Innovation Systems and Industrial Dynamics II.7 An introduction to game theory II.8 Thesis topic discussions II.9 Course in writing III Dissertation proposal

The Host Institute UNU-MERIT is a research and training centre of United Nations University (UNU). UNU is an international community of scholars engaged in research, postgraduate training and the dissemination of knowledge aimed at resolving the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare. UNU-MERIT is located at, and works in close collaboration with the University of Maastricht the Netherlands. UNU-MERITs research mission is to provide more insights into the social, political and economic international and local context within which innovation and technological change is created, adapted, selected, diffused, and improved upon. The Institutes research and training programmes address a broad range of relevant policy questions dealing with the national and international governance of innovation, intellectual property protection, knowledge creation, and diffusion. UNU-MERIT actively participates in research projects for international organisations, governments, businesses, and foundations throughout the world. UNU-MERIT has a particular research role in the United Nations as a research unit concerned with the analysis of technological change. The researchers at UNU-MERIT are internationally recognised for their contributions to the understanding of the economic, political, social, and philosophical foundations of the processes of technical change. The aim of the institution is to further advance this understanding and to create a new generation of scholars, policy analysts, and business leaders for a world that will increasingly rely on the generation and use of knowledge to improve human well-being

Application for Admission 1. Admission requirements The programme is designed for an international student body and therefore we are interested in candidates from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Candidates must possess a degree from a recognised university or institution of higher education. Strong quantitative abilities as shown by a background in mathematics or statistics are required, and candidates will have, at least, (the equivalent of) a Masterss degree in economics, business and management, engineering, political science or other natural or social sciences. Excellent written and verbal English language skills are also required. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to take the IELTS Test. A score of 7 or above is required. During the 1st week there will be an English exam. 2. Fees and fellowships The tuition fee for this programme is Euro 5,000 per year. All candidates are automatically considered for financial assistance. There are a small number of fellowships available for incoming students. These are one-year fellowships, renewable up to four years. 3. Application forms Downloadable from http://www.merit.unu.edu/phd/phdI/

Contact UNU-MERIT Keizer Karelplein 19 6211 TC Maastricht The Netherlands Tel. +31-43-3884400 Fax +31-43-3884499 E-mail phdprogramme@merit.unu.edu www.merit.unu.edu