Characteristics of the branch of study Regional and Public Economics:
The doctoral study programme Regional and Public Economics is based on two basic scientific disciplines, namely "public economics" and "regional economics". Emphasis is placed on examining the needs of regions, which determine the performance of public administration, or public sector management at the national government level, but also at the level of local governments. To the extent necessary, the program also focuses on the problems of financing regional and public policies in the national and European context and their effectiveness, and on the socio-economic effectiveness of the region as a whole.
Objectives of the branch of study:
The doctoral study programme Regional and Public Economics is aimed at deepening the knowledge and acquiring competencies needed for independent scientific work in the field of regional and public economics, and educating highly qualified professionals able to effectively participate in public sector management and regional development management.
Graduate profile:
Graduates of this doctoral study program have developed the necessary theoretical knowledge of economics, public economics and regional sciences at the appropriate level, with an emphasis on the financing and management of the public sector and regions.
Initial requirements for applicants:
Applicants who have duly completed a postgraduate study programme in the same or a related field at a university in the Czech Republic or abroad may apply for admission to study in the doctoral study programme. In the field of language skills, a working knowledge of English is required.
Focus and scope of required knowledge and courses:
The courses included in the standard study plan as compulsory, or as compulsory options are designed to enable the student, in cooperation with the lecturer in the doctoral study programme, to obtain a sufficient basis corresponding to the current state of knowledge in the field to which the doctoral study programme belongs. To achieve the required knowledge, the student chooses the courses in connection with their research orientation and the focus of their dissertation. The student draws up an individual study plan in cooperation with their supervisor at the beginning of their studies. In addition to the courses, the study plan also lists scientific research activities, or pedagogical activities, of the doctoral student and planned study stays or internships.
Get in Touch
You can choose the following topics for your dissertation
Doctoral thesis themes available in the academic year 2024/2025
Before submitting your application please contact a potential supervisor to discuss a dissertation topic. Applicants can propose their own themes of dissertation theses. Such themes will be accepted upon agreement of a supervisor and advisory board of a particular study programme.
Supervisor: Prof. Petr Hájek, Ph.D. (petr.hajek@upce.cz)
1. Modelling Dynamics of Regional Innovation Systems
The aim of the dissertation is to evaluate current approaches to modelling dynamics in regional innovation systems, to define the elements of regional innovation systems and its environment, to propose a suitable model, to simulate the development of regional innovation systems and assess the impact of public policies, and to compare the simulation results with the actual situation.
2. Impact of Interregional Cooperation on Regional Economic Development
The aim of the dissertation is to summarize current knowledge on the determinants of regional economic development with a focus on spillover effects, to propose ways of measuring interregional cooperation, to obtain relevant spatial data and to assess the impact of the proposed measures on the economic development of selected regions).
3. Towards Business Model Innovation for a Circular Economy
The aim of the dissertation is to summarize existing business models in the area of circular economy, to choose a suitable application domain, to propose a framework for evaluating the innovation of business models in this domain, to evaluate its impact on business performance, and to discuss implications for the development of circular economy.
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Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Viktor Prokop, Ph.D. (viktor.prokop@upce.cz)
1. Innovation Ecosystems: Investigation of their Dynamics, Resilience, and Transition
The doctoral student will focus on key topics related to the building and effective functioning of (global/national/regional) innovation ecosystems in Europe. From one perspective, the dissertation will focus on the dynamics of innovation ecosystems regarding the role of individual actors operating in these systems. In parallel, the resilience of these systems will be investigated, for example regarding multi-crisis influences. In the last phase of the research, the doctoral student will focus on the so-called twin-transition of innovation ecosystems, including the issues of digitization and sustainable development.
2. Circular Economy and Regional Development
The dissertation will focus on issues of sustainable development and the application of circular economy principles in European regions. Subsequently, the student will examine what role regional stakeholders play in these processes and how, on the contrary, these processes influence the behaviour of regional stakeholders. As part of his research, the dissertation student should map the European environment and identify key factors leading to the effective application of circular economy principles and the achievement of regional economic growth.
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Supervisor: Prof. Jan Stejskal, Ph.D. (jan.stejskal@upce.cz)
1. Regional Innovation Systems in Terms of Sustainability and Resilience
Regional innovation systems form a basic platform for the implementation of innovation processes in a defined space (usually a region), when applying the triple-helix approach. These systems have already been established in a number of regions and are supported by public policies, including financial support. The question of the effectiveness (sustainability and resilience) will be a research problem in the future. This requirement is gaining importance especially in the European area. Therefore, Ph.D. student should analyze the determinants and aspects influencing (or forming) regional innovation systems, analyze their importance for the innovation system and evaluate how they contribute to efficiency and sustainability.
Courses taken by the first-year students this year
Successful Alumni
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What scholarships can you get
Tuition fees
Part-time study
Part-time study involves a lot of independent work. You come to school once in about three weeks, on Fridays and Saturdays. In these lectures you will go through the core parts of the courses, the rest depends on your self-study. This form of study is complemented by consultations.
Contact with the university
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