The goal of the Cognition, Learning, Instruction and Communication (CLIC) programme is to produce doctoral researchers with a good command of theory and research methods in programme areas. The programme has a multi- and interdisciplinary focus on human behavior. Among others, the programme welcomes doctoral researchers in the fields of Speech-Language Pathology (Logopedics), Individual differences in learning (Education, Educational Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Special Needs Education), Learning Difficulties (Special Needs Education) and Cognition and its brain dynamics (Cognitive Sciences).
The research conducted by doctoral researchers can concentrate on areas such as human development, neurocognitive functions and their development, individual differences in learning, learning difficulties, motivation, well-being, social interaction and cognition, language learning and bilingualism, communication, speech, language, voice and swallowing disorders.
Programme researchers can use, among others: experimental, correlational and observational methods, with designs including interventions, longitudinal studies, systematic reviews; and gathering data such as assessments, surveys, register data, physiology, behaviour and brain measurement. Participants in the doctoral researchers’ projects can include individuals from birth to adulthood and senior years.
The research groups belonging to the Learning Research and Educational Psychology Research Community are listed here. You can find more information about each group on their websites and research profiles.
A doctoral degree in the programme comprises of a doctoral thesis and 40 credits of additional studies. The studies are divided into discipline-specific studies, aimed to support your research project, and transferable skills training.
Most of the studies are completed flexibly through means other than traditional coursework: conference presentations, essays, scientific and popular articles, editing work etc. Want to know more? Visit our study planning instructions for current doctoral students at the university's Instructions for Students.
Regular courses at the programme include discipline-specific research seminars, where you get to present your own work, receive feedback and spur on your fellow doctoral researchers.
Courses in research ethics and transferable skills are offered throughout the academic year by the Doctoral School in Humanities and Social Sciences.