Field of Sociology
The doctoral program in Sociology offers an advanced academic framework for social research, dedicated to the in-depth understanding and interpretation of contemporary social realities. The program draws upon the interdisciplinary expertise of a diverse academic team and is grounded in a continuous effort to update research topics in accordance with societal transformations.
Emphasis is placed on developing doctoral studentsā ability to describe and understand complex social phenomena such as social inequalities, migration, transformations in labor, education, digital culture, or organizational dynamics. The program is supported by a solid academic infrastructure, the active involvement of doctoral supervisors in mentoring and training, and a supportive and collaborative institutional environment. Through diverse methodological approaches, the Sociology doctoral program serves as a dynamic setting for training researchers capable of making significant contributions to understanding todayās society.
The Sociology field provides both a theoretical and practical context for those seeking to deepen their understanding of the society we live in. Doctoral students will have the opportunity:
ā¢ to work alongside dedicated professors and researchers;
ā¢ to develop advanced research and critical thinking skills using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies;
ā¢ to participate in scientific conferences, publish articles, and become part of national and international academic networks.
Doctoral studies in Sociology are not limited to fundamental researchāthey are also connected to real-life contexts in communities, organizations, and institutions that need well-documented, solution-oriented perspectives.
Doctoral supervisors
- Conf. univ. dr. habil. BACIU Elena Loreni (CV)
- Conf. univ. dr. habil DINCÄ MelindaĀ (CV)
- Prof. univ. dr. habil DRAGOMIR Gabriel-MugurelĀ (CV)
- Prof. univ. dr. habil GAVRILÄ-ARDELEAN Mihaela-FlorentinaĀ (CV)
- Prof. univ. dr. habil GHERHEČ VasileĀ (CV)
- Prof. univ. dr. habil GOIAN Cosmin ČtefanĀ (CV)
- Conf. univ. dr. habil LAZÄR Theofild ā AndreiĀ (CV)
- Conf. univ. dr. habil LUPČA-MATICHESCU MariusĀ (CV)
- Conf. univ. dr. habil NADOLU BogdanĀ (CV)
- Conf. univ. dr. habil NADOLU Delia IoanaĀ (CV)
- Prof. univ. dr. habil NEAGOE AlexandruĀ (CV)
- Conf. univ. dr. habil OBRAD Ciprian-IoanĀ (CV)
- Prof. univ. dr. habil PĆNZARU Ciprian PuiuĀ (CV)
- Prof. univ. dr. habil POPP Lavinia ElisabetaĀ (CV)
- Conf. univ. dr. habilĀ RUNCAN Patricia LucianaĀ (CV)
- Conf. univ. dr. habil TODERICI Ovidiu Florin (CV)
- Prof. univ. dr. habil TOMIČÄ Mihaela AlidaĀ (CV)
- Prof. univ. dr. habil ČĆRUĀ LaurenČiu-GabrielĀ (CV)
- Conf. univ. dr. habil VASILUČÄ-ČTEFÄNESCU MariusĀ (CV)
Thematic areas of interest (2025)
Associate Professor Elena Loreni BACIU, PhD
ā¢ Child protection for children with parents working abroad
ā¢ Social policies and support programs for disadvantaged populations
Professor Vasile GHERHEČ, PhD
ā¢ The potential of social networks in supporting sustainability promotion
Associate Professor Theofild-Andrei LAZÄR, PhD
ā¢ Social inclusion of vulnerable groups
ā¢ Community development
Associate Professor Bogdan NADOLU, PhD
ā¢ Homo Interneticus 3.0 or the fall from digital paradise
ā¢ Use of generative AI in sociological research
ā¢ Election campaign 3.0 ā microtargeting, bots, fake news, and manipulation
ā¢ Urban processes and phenomena: shrinkage, gentrification, suburbanization
ā¢ Authoritarian reflex vs. self-expression values. The importance of political culture and critical thinking in rejecting populism
Associate Professor Delia Ioana NADOLU, PhD
ā¢ Anthropology of space
ā¢ Myth, rite, and ritual ā contemporary reinterpretations
ā¢ Symbols in social space
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Professor Alexandru NEAGOE, PhD
ā¢ Social work for families in difficulty
ā¢ The impact of migration on the family: realities and resources
ā¢ The role of religion and spirituality in social work with vulnerable groups
ā¢ Social services within religious communities
ā¢ The role of social and spiritual counseling in social work
Professor Ciprian Puiu PĆNZARU, PhD
ā¢ Effects of international migration on the social security system
ā¢ Skills matching and mismatching
ā¢ Effects of population dynamics on the social security system
ā¢ Social simulation (e.g. forecasting of population/migration/labour market/etc. using data mining, agent-based modeling, Big Data analytics, etc.)
Professor LaurenČiu-Gabriel ČĆRU, PhD
ā¢ Artificial intelligence and social transformations
ā¢ Sociology of consumption, social media, and social identity
ā¢ Transformations in organizational culture in the context of hybrid work
Professor Mihaela Alida TOMIČÄ, PhD
ā¢ Alternative punishment systems
ā¢ Resilience of vulnerable groups
ā¢ Resilience of professionals in the criminal justice system
ā¢ Resilience within professional communities in the criminal justice system
Associate Professor Marius VASILUČÄ-ČTEFÄNESCU, PhD
ā¢ Analysis of how collective solutions foster resilience and reinvent solidarity in urban environments
ā¢ Analysis of socio-health inequalities exacerbated by crises and strategies to improve health equity in Romania
Useful information
Proposed topics for admission (2025)
For the complete list of topics, please refer to the table (link).
The funding status of each topic (scholarship-based budget, budget without scholarship, or tuition fee) is determined based on the admission competition, in accordance with the UVT methodology.
Admission
The admission competition for this doctoral field consists of an interview during which the candidate presents the doctoral research project (see Annex 8 of the Admission Regulations of the Doctoral School of Philosophy, Sociology, and Political Science).
The main elements of this project are as follows:
- title of the scientific research project;
- project summary;
- content of the scientific research project;
- research objectives and activities within the project;
- plan for disseminating the results of the doctoral research;
- elements of the candidateās previous scientific research activity (if applicable).
Candidates may choose to prepare and present the scientific research project in Romanian or in an internationally recognized language agreed upon by the examination committee.
Candidate evaluation during the admission exam will be based on the criteria and indicators included in the evaluation grid specific to the chosen doctoral field (see Annex 9 of the Admission Regulations of the Doctoral School of Philosophy, Sociology, and Political Science).
For more details regarding the application file, admission calendar, and the organization of the doctoral admission process within the Doctoral School of Philosophy, Sociology, and Political Science, please consult the Admission Regulations of the Doctoral School and the UVT Doctoral Admission Methodology.
Resources
Eugen Todoran Central University Library (B.C.U.) ā ranked among the top four university libraries in Romania, B.C.U. āEugen Todoranā offers doctoral students access to over 1,000,000 documents;
Through Anelis Plus, doctoral students have free access to all major databases (e.g., ScienceDirect, Wiley, Sage, Scopus, Springer, or Web of Science);
Curriculum
- Doctoral students admitted in the first year in 2024 (link)
- Doctoral students admitted in the first year in 2025 (link)
Courses
Introduction to Social Statistics
Advanced Research Methods and Techniques in Sociology
Research Methodology and Scientific Authorship
Ethics and Academic Integrity
Completion of studiesā
For more details about the IOSUD-West University of TimiČoara study completion procedure, please visit the Doctoral Studies > Completion of doctoral studies pageĀ (link).
For field-specific details, please consult the following:Ā
- Order of the Ministry of Education and Research no. 3018/2025, dated January 13, 2025, on the approval of the minimum mandatory national standards required for awarding doctoral degrees, published in the Official Gazette no. 78 of January 29, 2025
(applicable to doctoral students admitted from 2025 onward)Ā (link) - Order of the Ministry of National Education no. 5110/2018, dated September 17, 2018, regarding the approval of the minimum national standards for awarding doctoral degrees, published in the Official Gazette no. 817 of September 24, 2018 (link)
(applicable to doctoral students admitted before 2025)Ā (link) - The National Guide for Writing Doctoral Theses related to the Field of Study (forthcoming publication)
- Sections concerning the graduation procedure in the Regulations of the Doctoral School to which you are affiliated