1. Overview
We will seek to review current practice and experience in a number of European countries and institutions, with a view especially to establishing how countries and institutions are adapting to the post Bologna agreement on the length of political science programmes from initial qualification to doctoral level. Where appropriate, the work will relate to similar projects being undertaken in other associated disciplines, such as geography and history.

2. Aims and Objectives
Focusing on doctoral studies and the Bologna process, the team will try to identify common elements and best practice across the countries included, to analyse the problems currently facing the discipline in adapting doctoral studies to the post Bologna situation. Part of the work will also concentrate on the institutional/country expectations of what doctoral students should achieve in reaching this higher level of qualification (e.g. is it a question of providing additional training or of doing original research; how long should a doctoral thesis be and how should the work be examined).

3. General Output
Analysis of the situation of doctoral studies after Bologna in the 8 countries covered – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Netherlands, United Kingdom.

4. Deliverables
A report to be circulated internationally via national political science associations (whose co-operation in the project will be also sought), as well as presentations at international and national discipline meetings.

5. Project Leaders and Teams
The team will be co-ordinated at the University of Salford by Michael Goldsmith. The other members of the team in the other 7 countries covered will be: Mogens Pedersen (U. of Odense, Denmark), Erkki Berndtson (U. of Helsinki, Finland), Yves Schemeil (Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Grenoble, France), Dieter Fuchs (U. of Stutgart, Germany), Leonardo Morlino (U. of Florence, Italy), Andras Bozoki (Central European University, Budapest, Hungary), Bob Reinalda (U. of Nijmegen, the Netherlands).