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Accreditation to supervise research (HDR)
Sciences Po is authorised to award the qualification to supervise research (HDR) in law, economics, history, political science and sociology.
The accreditation to supervise research “recognises the candidate’s high academic standard, the originality of their approach within a field of science, their ability to master a research strategy within a sufficiently broad scientific or technological field, and their capacity to supervise young researchers. In particular, it enables the holder to apply for a position on the university teaching staff" (decree of 23 November 1988, amended by the decrees of 13 February 1992, 13 July 1995 and 25 April 2002).
Around ten habilitations are currently being carried out each year at the School of Research and form part of the doctoral programmes in: Law, Economics, History, Political Science and Sociology.
Previously, there were two types of doctorate in France: the postgraduate doctorate and the State doctorate, which was of a higher level. The State Doctorate has been replaced by the Qualification to Supervise Research (HDR), although the HDR “by its very nature, is not and must under no circumstances be regarded as a second, higher-level doctorate, as the State Doctorate previously was in relation to the postgraduate doctorate. ” (Circular No. 89-004 of 5 January 1989).
Everything you need to know about the HDR defence
Preparation
The ‘defence dossier’, which must be submitted no later than two months before the defence to the administrative coordinator of the doctoral programme to which the candidate is affiliated, must include:
A summary of the candidate’s academic career of around fifty pages, providing a reflective account of the candidate’s work and academic career, highlighting the variety of activities undertaken and including a comprehensive, organised bibliography.
(For the mandatory information to be included on the title page, please download the template (updated October 2023).
An original thesis meeting different requirements depending on the discipline:
- In law, a collection comprising one or more unpublished texts
- In economics, a collection of unpublished articles written after the thesis
- In history, an unpublished work constituting a substantial scientific contribution and distinct from the thesis work
- In political science, an original and largely unpublished manuscript taking the form of a research monograph. The latter may be based, in part, on previously published articles
- In sociology, an original dissertation prepared for the defence. The preferred format within the discipline is that of an original and unpublished text, in the form of a book proposal; this dissertation may also be a collection of four to five articles, the majority of which are unpublished, and introduced by an original problem-based text.
(For the mandatory information to be included on the title page, please download the template (updated October 2023).
A collection of works comprising all texts published since the thesis, or the main ones if there are more than twenty (this refers to the texts themselves and not merely bibliographical references), excluding books.
N.B.: Books not yet listed in the library catalogue must be provided as a single copy separate from the collection; however, their bibliographic references must be included in the collection.
(For the mandatory information to be included on the title page please download the template (updated October 2023).
The two copies of the three documents (summary of academic career, dissertation, collection of work) must be bound but may be printed either double-sided or single-sided.
The candidate is responsible for printing the work and sending it to the members of the examination board.
N.B.: Before printing their work, candidates must submit the cover page of the three documents (summary of academic background, dissertation, collection of work) to the administrative officer of their home programme for approval.
A two- to three-page summary of the dissertation, in French or English, including the candidate’s name, the title of the dissertation, the supervisor’s name and the words ‘Summary’.
Furthermore, it is the candidate’s responsibility to provide each member of the examination board, in printed or electronic form as the member wishes, with all their work (summary of academic background, dissertation, copies of articles or contributions).
Authorisation to appear before the examination board is granted by the President or Director of the IEP on the advice of the supervisor and the examiners.
Composition of the examination board
The examination board is appointed by the Director of the IEP on the recommendation of the supervisor.
‘It shall consist of at least five members chosen from among teaching staff authorised to supervise research at public higher education institutions, directors and research masters at public scientific and technological institutions, and, for at least half of the members, French or foreign figures from outside the institution who are recognised for their scientific expertise.’
- The president or director of the institution entrusts the task of examining the candidate’s work to at least three examiners chosen on the basis of their expertise, at least two of whom must be rank A academic staff not belonging to the teaching staff of the institution at which the candidate has submitted their application.
- Traditionally, the third examiner is the supervisor.
The examiners shall make their opinions known through written and reasoned reports, on the basis of which the candidate may be authorised to present their work orally before the examination board. These reports shall be communicated to the candidate and may be consulted by any person authorised to supervise research.
Prior to this presentation, a summary of the thesis shall be circulated within the institution. Notice of the presentation of the work is displayed on the institution’s premises.
The president or director of the institution takes the appropriate measures to ensure that information regarding the presentation of the work is disseminated outside the institution, in particular to other universities and institutions authorised to supervise research and to the National Council of Universities.
Procedure for the defence
The notice of the defence is displayed on the institution’s premises: see notices of defences
The presentation of the thesis is open to the public. However, if the subject matter of the thesis so requires, the chair or the director of the institution may take any necessary measures to protect its confidentiality.
The candidate gives a presentation to the jury on the entirety of their work, which leads to a discussion with the jury.
The jury assesses the candidate’s merit, evaluates their ability to design, lead, facilitate and coordinate research and dissemination activities, and decides on the award of the accreditation.
The chair of the examination board, having taken the views of the board members into account, shall draw up a report. This report shall be countersigned by all members of the examination board and communicated to the candidate. It may be consulted by any person authorised to supervise research.
Notice of thesis defence
Please note:
- For security reasons, thesis defences (PhD theses & HDR) are strictly reserved for invited guests and the Sciences Po community (students, teaching staff, researchers, staff).
- The announced defences are subject to authorisation by the Head of the Institution.
See upcoming HDR defence notices