In order to improve the advanced training model of the European/International Joint PhD in Social Representations and Communication in a collaborative way, we have expanded distance research tutoring and interactive co-operative research tools and activities on the web via the "European/International Joint PhD Web Auditorium" and Video-Chats.
Utilizing the appropriate evaluation forms already in place on the dedicated website, these will integrate face-to-face and distance research training opportunities, such as "research training monitoring".
The "video-chats" aim to improve not only asynchronous communication, but also real-time interaction between leading scientists in the network, including the founder of the theory, young researchers enrolled in the program, other distinguished experts from outside the network and the wider potential audience both in and outside European universities.
There are two main types of Video-chats:
A. Video-chats aimed at improving knowledge and scientific discussion based on:
- interviews with scientists and outside experts on papers critical to developing the state-of-the-art; these video-chats are managed directly by the programme's Scientific Co-ordinator and are distributed via multi-point modalities;
- discussions with scientists and policy makers on issues relevant to research in this specialized field and to EU policy.
B. Video-chats aimed at improving monitoring, quality management system and decision making based on:
- scientific discussion: exchanges and discussions between tutors and research trainees on research training activities. These are organized into several "rooms", corresponding to the personalized European Ph.D. tutoring room created for each European Ph.D. research trainee, his/her three tutors, the Co-ordinator and the European Ph.D. program Director;
- discussion among the members of the European Ph.D. Executive Committee, the European Ph.D. Teaching Board, the European Ph.D. Recruitment Board, the European Ph.D. International Final Jury, and/or any other committee established for the monitoring and quality management of the European Ph.D. and the So.Re.Com. THEmatic NETwork.
The "European/International Joint PhD Web Auditorium" use Adobe Connect, a cross-device platform that can be accessed through a browser or the dedicated app for mobile devices.
With the European/International Joint PhD Web Auditorium it is possible to establish Point-To-Point or Multi-Point connections at no cost using the server provided. To set up the Video-Chats, rooms have been and will be created. Each is protected by a specific password.
All participants in the European/International Joint PhD in Social Representations and Communication (including young researchers and professors), the International Summer Schools, and Marie Curie Fellows are able to access these rooms via passwords. Certain "Rooms" (for example, those designed for tutoring and co-tutoring individual research projects) are confidential and accessible only to those enrolled in the European/International Joint PhD programme, their personal tutors, the Programme Director.
Via a special room, European/International Joint PhD research trainees can use video-chats to establish a virtual scientific community that will strengthen their ties both to their tutors and other Fellows. This will enable them to keep these ties vital over time, even after their internships abroad have ended. In order to access these "rooms", other users may make an e-mail request to the European/International Joint PhD programme director who, via the Webmaster, will see that they are provided with access passwords for the rooms specifically requested.