The PhD

The theme of “Technologies for Resilient Living Environments” refers to the research, development and application of technologically advanced solutions which, in relation to living, working and cultural production environments at various scales, enable these environments to preserve their identity in response to environmental and social changes and stresses, by adapting and regenerating themselves, whilst at the same time promoting positive and sustainable change; Living environments are understood to mean all those places, both open and enclosed, in which life and work activities take place, including buildings and infrastructure.

The research themes characterising the industrial PhD programme place particular emphasis on promoting economic development and the production system, facilitating joint planning in relation to research topics and the activities of PhD students. The aim is also to develop joint research projects between universities and companies, based on the needs of the companies themselves, which today must innovate from an organisational and strategic perspective. With this in mind, the training programme must take into account the availability of Executive PhD places and co-funded places, balancing the scheduled teaching activities, other activities and research work at the company.

Learning objectives

The overall aim of the PhD programme is to train high-calibre technicians and researchers capable of working in cultural, scientific and industrial sectors, through the use and development of technologies necessary to enhance the resilience of living, working and cultural production environments at various scales, which are now more than ever affected by climate and social change.

The changes brought about in particular by climate change and the recent pandemic have found living environments still unprepared to address them in a structural manner, thereby favouring an adaptation inevitably driven by the emergency rather than by the necessary, forward-looking and resilient renewal capable of maintaining the environment’s functionality and recognisability.

The aim of using and/or developing innovative technologies enables the achievement of objectives regarding waste reduction, minimisation and efficiency in the use of resources, with high returns and low impacts, whilst, within a holistic vision, combining personal well-being with the workplace; furthermore, in the field of cultural production, the aim is to increase participation in cultural life, including through access to cultural heritage, by fostering innovation and seizing the opportunities offered by digital technology.

The objectives are also tailored to the companies currently involved in the programme and contributing to the launch of the PhD course; with this in mind, some specific objectives relate to:

• training staff capable of developing and testing new systems for creating and visualising digital content of living environments based on the use of real-time interactive 3D graphics;
• training staff capable of developing a workplace risk simulation system in virtual reality environments based on a human-centred approach;
• training staff capable of creating geolocated, centralised distribution systems for augmented reality (AR) content via cloud platforms and apps, with a view to enhancing the enjoyment of cultural heritage;
• to train staff capable of developing innovative catalysts for the Water Gas Shift reaction and alternative methods for the production of methane from the gasification of residual biomass;
• to train staff capable of using techniques for the dynamic identification and structural monitoring of historic monuments.

Career opportunities

The PhD programme in “TECHNOLOGIES FOR RESILIENT LIVING ENVIRONMENTS” trains professionals to work across a range of sectors, from design, prototyping and fine-tuning of technologically advanced solutions, to planning, monitoring and control for the public sector and private enterprises, right through to the field of basic and applied research on environmental sustainability, resilience and technological innovation, with a focus on living environments – that is, all those places, both open and enclosed, where daily life and work take place, including buildings and infrastructure.

Upon completion of their training, PhD graduates will be able to advance scientific and technological knowledge in both academic and industrial settings. Consequently, PhD graduates will be qualified to work in both public and private organisations (e.g. ministerial, regional and local authorities; agencies for the management and enhancement of cities and the local area; cultural heritage bodies; archaeological and museum complexes; the National Research Council (CNR); the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA); etc.) as well as in private companies.

These activities, listed below in a list that is by no means exhaustive, include:

• conducting, coordinating and directing research in the areas of project design, monitoring, management and control, as well as the prototyping and development of innovative products;
• research and/or management within research projects;
• consultancy on the resilient management and preservation of cultural, archaeological and architectural heritage;
• coordination of research programmes funded by national or European legislation;
• management and maintenance of deteriorated building systems, restoration or reconstruction of structures and infrastructure
• damaged by human-induced and/or natural events;
• development of Virtual or Augmented Reality solutions;
• creation and visualisation of digital content based on the use of interactive 3D graphics in real time;
• the development of protocols and experiments for the creation, development, prototyping and human interaction with physical and virtual products and systems;
• the development of artificial lighting systems in the context of progressive digitalisation and with a view to their integration with natural light;
• the design of innovative, sustainable and resilient technological solutions;
• Research activities (including coordination roles) at universities and public or private, national and international research bodies, covering both fundamental topics and highly interdisciplinary areas linked to resilient living environments.

Self-assessment and guidance committee

In order to monitor the progress of the PhD programme as a whole, to assess the alignment of the activities carried out with the educational objectives, and to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of the PhD training process—including in relation to its career prospects and the integration of highly innovative professional pathways— the Coordinator selects, from among the members of each Academic Board of the three active cycles, the members of the Self-Assessment and Steering Committee.

Members of the Committee

PhD students' opinions

Every year, Vanvitelli University conducts a survey to gather feedback from PhD students at the end of each academic year, with the aim of gathering information on the various aspects of the research training program and the services and opportunities that accompany it.

• For the I and II year, access to the evaluation questionnaire is via the University’s institutional credentials, and complete anonymity of responses is guaranteed - Go to the teaching evaluation questionnaire
• For the III year, the end-of-course evaluation questionnaire is managed by Alma Laurea and can be accessed once the PhD student has registered, prior to the final examination - Go to the questionnaire

Results

• For the I and II year: PhD Student Opinions (SISVALDIDAT system)
• For the III year: PhD students’ opinions (AlmaLaurea)

In addition, the AlmaLaurea inter-university consortium compiles annual data on behalf of the University regarding PhD graduates’ academic trajectories and employment status after obtaining their degree.

• Employment status of PhD graduates (AlmaLaurea)