The PhD

The PhD programme entitled ‘Environment, Comparative Law and Transitions’ aims to offer a training and professional path focused on the study, in-depth analysis and research of environmental law issues, including from a comparative perspective, focusing on how ecological transition, international, constitutional and multi-level regulatory measures, and the governance of European funds can contribute to regulating and managing the various transition processes (ecological, climatic, cultural and digital). The PhD programme, which is taught in both Italian and English, aims to train modern and versatile legal professionals who combine institutional skills with analytical and research tools useful for understanding the relationships between legal systems in the field of environmental law, also in light of the current challenges regarding the ecological and energy transition launched in Europe with the Green Deal and, at national level, with the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan).

Ample space will be devoted to governance and multilevel policies on the environment, with reference to both the international and supranational levels (e.g. the European Union), but also and above all to the national level, which, starting with constitutional provisions, represents the space for the concrete application of the rules. In this sense, the comparative approach will serve to identify and analyse general trends in environmental and climate change legislation and, in particular, to analyse the most important best practices worldwide.

The PhD programme aims to analyse these issues, including through an interdisciplinary and comparative approach, with a particular focus on aspects relating to ecological and energy transition, which represent lines of theoretical reflection but with immediate operational applications. Attention will therefore be paid to the transformations in the actions of public authorities and the relationships between the public and private sectors following changes in the economy, society and the interdependencies between state systems in relation to the relationship between humans and the environment in what is now defined, both by the exact sciences and the humanities, as the Anthropocene era.

Learning objectives

The course aims to train researchers with an international outlook, providing them with the appropriate tools to achieve complex objectives, in accordance with the cross-cutting principles set out in the PNRR, including the principle of “do no significant harm” (DNSH). In particular, the course aims to contribute to studies and objectives in the areas of climate change, gender equality and the obligation to protect and empower young people. In addition, the course contributes to the achievement of objectives in doctoral programmes dedicated to digital and environmental transitions, and doctoral programmes for public administration. The objectives of the course include the in-depth study and advancement of research and studies relating to progress and implementation in the following areas:

• implementation of the European Green Deal at national level (including in comparative terms);
• definition of effective circular economy models,
• tourism and sustainability through innovative approaches,
• precautionary and preventive profiles relating to the water crisis,
• energy communities and public administration.

Career opportunities

Through the interdisciplinary training offered by the PhD programme, PhD students will be able to integrate in-depth legal knowledge with elements of economics, history, political science and sociology. This cross-disciplinary preparation will enable them to take on key roles in environmental policy, legal consulting, fund design and management – particularly in the post-PNRR period – and sustainability certification, thus contributing to the achievement of national, European and international objectives.

In addition to pursuing highly qualified professional and research activities at universities, public bodies and private entities, PhD graduates will be adequately trained to take on new professional roles and key positions in the post-PNRR period, such as, for example:

• Environmental lawyer: PhD graduates will be able to take on advisory and legal support roles in complex environmental matters. They will be able to assist in the interpretation and application of environmental law, developing innovative solutions to address environmental sustainability challenges.
• Sustainability certifiers: with a solid understanding of environmental issues and related legal regulations, graduates will be able to work as experts in the assessment and awarding of sustainability certifications. They will be able to collaborate with certification organisations and institutes to ensure compliance with environmental standards and promote sustainable practices in various sectors of public and private administration;
• Green public procurement: PhD graduates will be able to develop and implement green public procurement policies, helping to promote the purchase of goods and services with low environmental impact in the public sector;
• Green finance: PhD graduates will be able to work as experts in the field of green finance, collaborating with financial institutions, banks and investment companies. They will be able to provide advice on sustainable investment opportunities, contributing to the promotion of financial models that integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria;
• European designer for green funds: thanks to their in-depth knowledge of European policies and regulations, PhD graduates will be able to take on roles in the design and management of European funds dedicated to ecological transition. They will be able to support the preparation and presentation of green projects, ensuring that they comply with European guidelines and requirements;
• Ecolabelling: PhD graduates will be able to work as experts in the definition and promotion of ecolabels, environmental certification marks awarded to products and services that meet certain sustainability criteria;
• Energy sector: PhD graduates will be able to work in the energy sector, collaborating with energy companies, research institutes and regulatory bodies;
• Genetic resources sector (Nagoya Protocol): PhD graduates will be able to work in the genetic resources sector, with a particular focus on the application of the Nagoya Protocol. They will be able to support the sustainable management of genetic resources and ensure compliance with access rights and benefit sharing arising from the use of such resources;

• Pharmaceutical sector: PhD graduates will be able to carry out research and consultancy activities in the pharmaceutical sector, with a particular focus on the legal implications of environmental sustainability and the ethics of pharmaceutical research and development.

Given the importance of the PNRR, PhD graduates will be able to contribute to the design and implementation of programmes and projects aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and achieving the objectives set out in the PNRR.

Self-assessment and guidance committee

In order to monitor the progress of doctoral activities as a whole, assess the consistency of the activities carried out with the educational objectives, and improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of the doctoral training process, also in relation to its employment opportunities and the integration of highly innovative professional paths, the Coordinator identifies the members of the Self-Assessment and Steering Committee from among the members of each Faculty Board of the three active cycles.

Currently, the Self-Assessment and Steering Committee is composed of:

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)