PhD Programme in Theory of Contracts, Services, and Markets
Academic Year 2024/2025
The PhD Programme in Theory of Contracts, Services, and Markets
based at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” continues its activities with a substantially expanded Academic Board, including additional Italian and international professors.
Throughout the 2024/2025 academic year, more than 32 PhD candidates from cycles XXXVI–XLI were actively supervised.
The training activities in the 2024/2025 academic year were particularly rich and diverse: methodological seminars, workshops, scientific conferences, book presentations, and interdisciplinary initiatives on the digitalization of law, sustainability, artificial intelligence, taxation, and administrative law. Numerous events actively involved doctoral candidates in the organization, presentation, and discussion of contributions.
International mobility was significant, with periods of study and research abroad in Spain, Germany, France, Austria, the United Kingdom, Australia, Portugal, and Brazil. Participation in Erasmus+ programmes, visiting research stays, ICON-S conferences, and international intensive programmes enriched the doctoral candidates’ training, supported by PNRR and University scholarships.
Scientific output was highly substantial, with dozens of publications in Class A journals, chapters in edited volumes, editorial notes, contributions to international conferences, and involvement in editorial projects currently in publication.
Career outcomes confirmed the high quality of the programme: admissions to the judiciary, positions at the National Cybersecurity Agency, the Court of Auditors, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Bank of Italy, international organizations (FAO, IFAD, WFP), as well as academic and legal practice roles.
The PhD Programme welcomed several international scholars to the Board and seminar activities, promoted Erasmus+ agreements, and initiated new negotiations for co-tutelle programmes with European universities.
Academic Year 2023/2024
The PhD Programme in Theory of Contracts, Services, and Markets, offered by the University of Rome "Tor Vergata", is a well-established course accredited by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), with its most recent renewal in 2023. The Academic Board, composed of high-profile scholars from both Italian and international universities, ensures solid interdisciplinary training in legal and economic fields.
During the 2023/2024 academic year, the programme supported over 35 PhD candidates across six cohorts (from the 34th to the 40th cycle). The 34th, 35th, and 36th cycles were successfully completed by almost all candidates, including several who pursued joint international supervision.
The educational offering was rich and diverse. Numerous conferences, seminars, and workshops were organized on current topics such as artificial intelligence, environmental taxation, legal digitalization, and digital vulnerability. The international lab on “Human Vulnerability and AI” and the “Caffè Letterario” series provided spaces for active dialogue between research, teaching, and society.
Special attention was given to international mobility, with study and research periods abroad in France, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Spain, supported by Erasmus+ programmes, institutional agreements, and PNRR scholarships. The programme also welcomed candidates from public administrations and foreign countries.
Research activities resulted in dozens of scientific publications, many of which appeared in top-tier (Class A) journals, reflecting the high quality of work carried out by the PhD candidates. These efforts were supported by regular peer-to-peer assessments, encouraging methodological refinement and critical development.
On the professional front, the outcomes were equally positive. Graduates from recent cohorts have gone on to pursue careers in academia, legal practice, public institutions, and international organizations.
The PhD Programme continues to offer a dynamic and stimulating academic environment, open to interdisciplinary and international dialogue, and capable of responding to today’s scientific, societal, and professional challenges.