Business and Human Rights
The research profile of the International Doctorate Program builds on law and management as the core disciplines complemented by sociology, political, and information sciences. Research focusses on four areas of global value chains and transnational economic governance, migration and changing labor relations, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability. The curriculum aims at contributing to the professional development of independent and critical researchers through courses, conferences, and practical projects.
The International Doctorate Program at a glance
| Degree | Dr. jur./ Dr. phil./Dr. rer. soc. |
| Duration of study | Four years |
| Place of study | Erlangen / Nuremberg, Bayreuth, Würzburg |
| Admission requirements | Master's degree in a relevant discipline (law, management, sociology, political, or information science) |
| Language | English |
| Application deadline | 1 June 2025 |
| Head | Prof. Dr. Markus Krajewski |
| Coordinator | Shuvra Dey Contact the coordinator |
| Further information | Website "Business and Human Rights" |
An inter- and transdisciplinary research
The International Doctorate Program "Business and Human Rights: Governance Challenges in a complex World", funded by the Elite Network of Bavaria, weds the theoretical foundation of constructivist didactics with an inter- and transdisciplinary research approach. To create an environment of multi-perceptivity, elements of active and self-directed learning and research, situated learning, research in real life and professional practice, social learning, and disciplinary dialogue shape the curriculum of the doctorate program.
As a structured doctoral program, "Business and Human Rights" is part of the FAU Graduate Center, an information and networking platform bringing together structured doctoral programs from all faculties at FAU. It coordinates the doctorate procedure for the whole university, supports the administrative aspects of the doctoral procedure, and offers courses focusing on further qualifications in interdisciplinary topics and research career development, which can be attended by all doctoral candidates.
Due to the significant practical relevance of the issues evolving around "Business and Human Rights", the International Doctorate Program fosters a transdisciplinary approach, which engages academics and practitioners in a collaborative research process to analyse complex real-life problems. This allows the doctoral researchers to pursue projects with substantial practical relevance and to develop their professional skills which is of significant value for their careers in and outside of academia.
With doctoral researchers from 12 different countries and a variety of disciplines including law, business and social sciences, the International Doctorate Program "Business and Human Rights" enables true interdisciplinary and international research at the highest level.
Prof. Dr. Markus Krajewski
International projects cooperated with partners
The international character of the Doctorate Program will be realized through the attraction of a significant number of doctoral researchers from abroad, international guest researchers, and an international Advisory Board. Close cooperation with partners from businesses, civil society, and political actors enables researchers to develop their projects in a broader context to ensure practical relevance. The International Doctorate Program's curriculum aims at contributing to the professional development of independent and critical researchers through a variety of lectures, research retreats, colloquia, and conferences as well as the possibility of practical projects.
The Doktorate Program "Business and Human Rights" will include 16 Principal Investigators from the host universities and up to 20 doctoral researchers selected through a competitive process. 12 doctoral researchers will be funded by the Elite Network of Bavaria and up to eight by other external funds. The doctoral researchers will benefit from a comprehensive supervision concept allowing them to work with and receive support from an international and interdisciplinary team.