After successful completion of the course, students are able to...

- better structure their own writing-based process of realizing their doctoral thesis,

- to reflect the thesis as regards its main theories and social research methodologies,

- and to break it down in smaller work-packages.

The aim of this course is to provide an accompanying orientation for improving the process of thesis-writing to all doctoral students who are writing their final thesis at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Urban Culture and Public Space. The facilitation of peer-to-peer learning and debate rounds on salient urban studies issues is an important achievement here. Therefore, semi-public presentations will take place during the first part of each “Thesis Fenster” - whereas the second part will feature face-to-face debates between doctoral students and the thesis supervisor(s). 

This course includes active participation in the so-called Thesis Windows (PhD). Now, for the first time we are offering Writing-Reading Dialogues based on individual supervision so as to be able to better respond to the individual progress of the written parts of the thesis. All authors realizing their doctoral thesis projects currently carried out at the Interdisciplinary Center for Urban Culture and Public Space (E280-09) will be discussed here (working languages for consulations: are German, English and Spanish, working language thesis: Englisch and German). In addition to the content-relevant aspects of urban research (current phenomena of urban development, public spaces, urban and everyday culture, wider issues of social change in urban studies, etc.), we jointly explore other research issues such as research design, questions, barriers and ethics. Participants will be supported in the creation of work plans. We jointly discuss the setting up of concrete milestones along individual thesis projects. We turn the "huge" thesis project into "tiny little pieces" which can be elaborated and finalised.

Empirical, methodological, conceptual and ethical debates about the limits and integration of research appraoches are key ingredients of research designs in empirical urban studies and international planning theory. Therefore, we will discuss these aspects alongside the respective research projects.

To register for the privatissimum, please contact the institute's office (mailto: office(at)skuor.tuwien.ac.at). All students writing their thesis at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Urban Culture and Public Space under the (first, secondary) supervision by Prof. Dr. phil. habil. Sabine Knierbein are expected to regularly present their written progress in this course. In this time frame, the possibility for indivual consultation will be offered. Also, those interested in a potential supervision by Prof. Dr. phil. habil. Sabine Knierbein are welcome here (mail to: office(at)skuor.tuwien.ac.at, title: Potential PhD thesis supervision request). New modus operandi for summer term 2024: Participants will check in with their finalised written chapters or papers 2 to 3 weeks before the slot in a short e-dialogue with the supervisor and clarify in a short check-in talk where the focus in revision should lie. Two to three weeks later and based on the review of the written work submitted before, the supervisor will offer related review comments. Per privatissimum date, up to three thesis chapters or papers can be handled, so please register with office@skuor.tuwien.ac.at in advance for your check-in and for your review slot.

• Submission of at least one chapter in written, or in case of cumulative dissertations, a final draft for a paper.

• Active participation in feedback sessions and discussions, which rely on the written progress of the thesis, is required.

For doctoral students: You should have definitely contacted Prof. Dr. Knierbein via personal email prior to visiting the Thesis Fenster.