The programme’s doctoral researchers can acquire in-depth skills in individual disciplines or investigate topics that transcend academic boundaries (e.g., wellbeing, values and sustainability or religious changes and societal structures). In their research, they can focus on cross-disciplinary topical questions, such as where a sense of security stems from and how it differs from actual security. Compared with other fields, how does theology help to advance understanding of humanity, suffering and experiences of a good life? How are populism and conspiracy theories constructed and how should they be understood? The doctoral programme provides skills for applied approaches and professional issues, including climate anxiety, compassion, leadership and the comprehensive wellbeing of young people.
The programme emphasises connections rather than distinctions between basic and applied research. Under many of the themes, doctoral researchers may also focus on applied perspectives. Individual study paths and topic selections may reflect doctoral researchers’ long-term career plans.
Doctoral researchers are offered a great deal of support to facilitate, among other things, voluntary supervision, coping and well-being as well as peaceful writing conditions. We form a close-knit community.
Compared with other fields, our programme provides a deeper understanding of both the roots of civilisation and current issues. Every human being and community is affected by societal and existential questions, as well as group dynamics.
Doctoral graduates are typically employed in research and expert positions in universities and research institutes. Emerging career opportunities now also include leadership positions across society, such as in religious communities, businesses and non-governmental organisations. Doctoral graduates from our programme consequently find employment as teachers and researchers in academia, as well as in Finnish society, various organisations, schools and educational institutions, churches and religious communities, and in various international high-level positions.
The Doctoral Programme in Theology and Religious Studies includes a compulsory period of international mobility, which can consist of, for example, a presentation at an international conference, a research exchange or teaching at a foreign university. The Doctoral School grants travel support for doctoral researchers’ conference trips. Doctoral researchers also learn about international trends and practices by attending the lectures and courses given by the doctoral programme’s international visiting scholars. All the above activities are designed to help doctoral researchers establish networks in the international academic community. In terms of future careers outside academic communities, international professional experiences are also important for learning and valuable additions to curricula vitae.
Among the key international collaboration networks for the Doctoral Programme in Theology and Religious Studies are the League of European Research Universities (LERU), Una Europa and the Global Network for Theology and Religion. LERU’s active Theology and Religious Studies thematic group organises a biennial seminar on research and doctoral education. The Old Testament Studies: Epistemologies and Methods (OTSEM) doctoral education network annually brings together doctoral researchers and supervisors from eight European universities in the Nordic countries, the UK and Germany. The Faculty of Theology’s collaboration with African universities benefits doctoral researchers as well.
Will be published in the spring 2026.
Will be published in the spring 2026.