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Typology
Ph.D Course
Access methods
Restricted access
Duration
3 years
Location
Varese
Language
English
Structure
DIPARTIMENTO DI ECONOMIA

Course description

An important part of economic analysis is devoted to the study of decision-making processes. Every day, consumers and producers, workers and firms, banks and managers, households and policy makers make decisions that carry significant economic consequences. Economists aim to understand, predict and, at times, guide the mechanisms underlying these choices.

The analysis of human decision-making relies on different methods and models depending on the area of research. Classical decision theory is based on mathematical models, while more recent work in behavioral economics often employs experimental approaches. Econometric tools make it possible to study the factors that influence specific choices, such as those related to labor, transportation, health, or charitable giving. Computational methods, in turn, allow researchers to simulate interactions among economic agents and to analyse the effects of their decisions.

The PhD Program in Methods and Models for Economic Decisions trains young researchers to deepen their knowledge across this wide range of theoretical and applied domains. The program requires the completion of 180 ECTS credits over three years, typically 60 per year. Of these, at least 20 must be earned in the first year through attendance of institutional courses specifically designed for PhD students.

All activities are conducted entirely in English and taught by faculty members from the Department of Economics at the University of Insubria, as well as by professors from other Italian universities and visiting scholars from foreign universities and research centers. All information reported on this page is also available on the corresponding webpage in Italian, which forms an integral part of the program’s documentation.

Students receive continuous support throughout the program. In the first year, they have the opportunity to identify a research area for their dissertation and to choose their supervisor, usually among the members of the Faculty Board, together with at least one co-supervisor, who may also be an external academic or professional. The following two years are fully dedicated to research activities. Students work on their projects and are required to participate in seminars and other educational initiatives organized by internal and external faculty members with recognized international standing.

The program strongly promotes international mobility, encouraging students to spend part of their PhD period abroad and supporting them in gaining global experience. Its objective is to train independent researchers capable of pursuing academic careers at leading universities or undertaking research roles in private companies and international organizations.

The PhD offers internships and research visits at prestigious international institutions. Key opportunities include: the Pan-European Seal Programme (EUIPO and EPO) for paid traineeships; collaborations and visits at the Competence Centre on Microeconomic Evaluation (CC-ME) of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, within the NetCIEx network; and internship programs at global organizations such as the IMF, World Bank and OECD. For details and applications, please refer to the dedicated pages. 

An additional opportunity for academic and professional enrichment comes from the various initiatives promoted by the Department of Economics, which has been selected among Italy’s 180 Departments of Excellence by the Ministry of Universities and Research for the period 2023–2027, ranking eighth nationally in the Economic Sciences area.

The Academic Board of the MMED PhD Programme has a system for monitoring the processes and results related to research, teaching, and third mission activities, as well as for gathering feedback from doctoral candidates, including through the collection and analysis of their opinions. The documentation prepared and updated by the Programme for planning and monitoring purposes is listed below.

Scientific areas: 13 - Economics and Statistics
Thematic areas: ECON-01/A, ECON-02/A, ECON-03/A, ECON-04/A, ECON-05/A, ECON-06/A, ECON-07/A, ECON-09/A, ECON-09/B, STEC-01/B, STAT-01/A, STAT-02/A, STAT-04/A, MATH-03/A, MATH-03/B, MATH-06/A, INFO-01/A
Coordinator: Mastrogiacomo Elisa
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Ph.D. Cycle: XLII cycle

What you need to know

General objectives. The programme aims to train researchers capable of understanding and analysing economic decisions through a multidisciplinary, data‑driven approach. Its overarching goal is to provide a solid preparation in the main theoretical models and quantitative methods used in contemporary economics, integrating contributions from experimental economics, behavioural sciences, econometrics, applied mathematics, and computational methods. The PhD programme prepares candidates to operate in an international academic and institutional context, strengthening their ability to communicate results, collaborate with diverse groups, and interpret complex economic problems with methodological rigour.

Learning objectives. Throughout the three‑year programme, the training path is designed to develop competencies that enable doctoral students to critically evaluate models and empirical findings, define scientifically relevant research questions, and apply quantitative tools to analyse economic phenomena. The programme promotes the integration of theoretical and empirical approaches, encourages participation in seminars and research networks, and supports study periods abroad in universities or specialised research centres. Particular attention is devoted to teamwork in heterogeneous groups and to continuous interaction with faculty and supervisors, fostering collaborative and progressive learning. All activities are conducted in English to prepare students for international research environments.

Research objectives. The PhD programme supports students in developing their research project, helping them formulate well‑defined research questions, choose appropriate methodologies, and conduct data analysis consistent with the objectives of their work. Doctoral candidates are encouraged to aim for high‑quality publications, supported by a tailored set of training activities—such as thematic workshops, seminar series, and meetings with internationally renowned experts—that promote discussion, exchange of ideas, and integration into ongoing scientific debates. Collaboration with supervisors and researchers involved in the programme’s initiatives helps progressively refine the structure of the doctoral research.

The ultimate goal is the production of a dissertation that provides a significant contribution to the literature on economic decision‑making and serves as a solid basis for a future academic or research‑oriented professional career.

The PhD graduate in Methods and Models for Economic Decisions is a highly qualified professional with advanced skills in the analysis and modelling of decision-making processes in economics and finance.

The skills acquired during the PhD open up career opportunities in advanced intellectual and scientific professions, both inside and outside academia. PhD graduates can pursue an academic career, in Italy or abroad, or work at public and private research institutes, international organisations, companies and financial institutions. Their methodological and quantitative training also enables them to hold highly qualified positions, including managerial and decision-making roles. The international experience gained during the PhD further broadens their career prospects.

Further information on the training paths and career outcomes of PhD graduates is available in the AlmaLaurea surveys. In particular, the Survey on PhD Paths analyses the characteristics and training experiences of PhD graduates, while the Survey on Employment Outcomes of PhD Graduates examines their employment one and three years after obtaining the degree.

First-year courses, which may include practical activities (e.g. computational labs), and seminar activities normally require compulsory in-person attendance; any blended arrangements are indicated by the lecturers or organisers. Attendance requirements, including those for seminars and the MMED Workshop, are communicated to PhD students at the beginning of each academic year. In case of justified absence, students must contact the lecturer and the Coordinator.

Enrollment

The program offers 8 positions, of which 6 include a scholarship and 2 do not. The program also funds one scholarship within the PhD of National Interest in Sustainable Development and Climate Change (PhD SDC), coordinated by IUSS Pavia.

Enrollment is possible after a selection process based on the evaluation of qualifications and an oral interview.

To be admitted to a PhD program, candidates must hold a master’s degree (laurea magistrale/specialistica/ciclo unico/vecchio ordinamento) or another qualification obtained abroad and recognized as equivalent.

Applicants who have not yet completed their degree are also eligible to apply; enrollment can be finalized only for those who obtain the required qualification by 31 October.

The selection process consists of the evaluation of qualifications and an oral examination:

  • Score for Qualifications: maximum 60 points

Candidates’ qualifications will be assessed based on their relevance to the themes of the PhD Program, according to the criteria specified in the Call for Applications. Only candidates who obtain at least 40 points in the evaluation of qualifications will be admitted to the oral examination.

  • Score for Oral Examination: maximum 60 points

The oral examination must be conducted at least partially in English. Candidates residing outside the region or abroad may request to take the interview remotely via Microsoft Teams, by submitting an adequate justification to the Coordinator and the Examination Committee. The oral examination is considered passed with a minimum score of 40 points.

More detailed information is provided in the Call for Applications. 

The PhD Program in Methods and Models for Economic Decisions participates in the inter-university PhD program in Sustainable Development and Climate Change[EM1]  (PhD SDC), coordinated by IUSS – Pavia (Curriculum Beta: HUMAN SOCIETY: SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS, INSTITUTIONS AND THEORIES).

Faculty Board Representative: Elena Maggi

Class attendance

The PhD Program aims to train researchers who possess both theoretical and applied mastery of the methods used in the analysis of economic decision-making, through a multidisciplinary approach.

In line with the organization of the training activities offered by the Doctoral School, starting from the 2025–2026 academic year (41st cycle), and confirmed for the 2026–2027 academic year (42nd cycle), the study program is structured by assigning ECTS credits (CFU) to the planned teaching and research activities.

The training programme requires full‑time and exclusive commitment, quantified as 180 ECTS over the three‑year period. Each ECTS corresponds to 25 hours of activity, divided into 8 hours of taught activities and 17 hours of individual study. These activities are identifiable and recognised by the Academic Board in the following forms:

  • transversal training activities: 3 ECTS;
  • disciplinary training activities;
  • elective training activities: 1 ECTS;
  • interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary training activities;
  • academic and professionalising training activities;
  • research activities.

15 ECTS are reserved for the final examination.

The training offer is updated and approved annually by the PhD Board.

In addition to courses, the programme promotes seminars and scientific activities open to all PhD students, to support their integration into the scientific community. For the academic year 2026-2027 the following are planned:

  • PhD MMED Seminars: monthly seminars (November – June), informal and in blended mode, in which second- and third-year PhD students, PhD students from other programmes, post-docs and junior researchers (within five years of their PhD) present work in progress; the schedule is defined together with the PhD student representatives;
  • Brown bag seminars: monthly seminars (November – June) in which members of the Faculty Board and of the Department present their research; for first-year PhD students they are also useful for choosing a supervisor;
  • Visiting Professor and Department seminars: the programme is published at https://dieco.uninsubria.it/it/news-e-eventi/seminari;
  • Transversal seminars: AI as a Research Tool: Opportunities, Limits and Critical Thinking and Research Perspectives: From Ideas to Job Market (provisional titles), devoted to the critical use of AI in research and to entering the job market;
  • MMED Workshop (spring 2027): a one-day event with invited speakers – Raffaella Calabrese (University of Edinburgh), Carlo Sala (ESADE Business School) and Alessandro Calvia (Politecnico di Milano) – and presentations by PhD students, in particular third-year thesis work;
  • Conferences and Summer Schools: the PhD encourages participation in conferences and schools, including as speakers, in agreement with the supervisor and with the support of the individual research budget. From 7 to 11 June 2027 the Summer School Bioeconomy School: Science, Economics, Business and Society will take place at Villa del Grumello (Como), in collaboration with the Lake Como School of Advanced Studies.

PhD MMED Seminars schedule:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AqDhspzTudrs47L1PoSakKYsMqGmKccKUYQuNRAoomc/edit?gid=0#gid=0

Brown bag seminars schedule:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hoXZPfqQQ0zvETWYrfVtDaOjY0byA-z0-H4GwXktr70/edit?gid=0#gid=0

Periods abroad, usually spent in the second and third year, are an integral part of the programme and are also financially supported.

In recent years, second- and third-year students have carried out research periods at institutions such as: Duke University (USA), Stony Brook University – New York (USA), University of Nottingham (UK), University of Kent (UK), University of Jena (Germany), University of Bordeaux (France), University of Lille (France), Universitat Jaume I – Castellón (Spain), University of Granada (Spain), Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic), and IAAEU (University of Trier).

Mobility periods are authorised by the Faculty Board, after assessing their consistency with the research project. Joint supervision (cotutelle) and double-degree paths are also possible: in this framework, the programme has activated joint paths with the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) and the Université de Bordeaux, involving joint supervision, a significant stay at the partner institution and a shared research project. Other institutions available for study periods, including under cotutelle agreements, are Birkbeck University of London, King’s College London, the London School of Economics and Political Science, ISER – University of Essex, the University of the West of England, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Universität Hohenheim, Technische Universität Hamburg, Universidad Pública de Navarra and Universitat de Barcelona. For each month spent abroad the scholarship is increased by 50%, up to a maximum of 12 months (18 in the case of cotutelle).

In addition to mobility, PhD students can collaborate with the Department’s Experimental Economics Centre (InExEc) and take part in collaborative projects, such as Interreg and Fondazione Cariplo initiatives and the activities of the Department’s business area with the Mind the Bridge Foundation and Startup Europe Partnership.

PhD students may carry out tutoring activities, including paid ones, for Bachelor’s and Master’s students, as well as supplementary, introductory and remedial teaching up to a maximum of 40 hours per year. These activities, useful for developing teaching skills, must be compatible with the research programme, require the approval of the Faculty Board and do not entail any increase in the scholarship. For details, see the Regulations for PhD programmes:

https://www.uninsubria.it/sites/default/files/2026-04/Reg_corsi_%20di_dottorato_di_ricerca.pdf 

Essential information for all PhD cohorts is also summarised in the following document: 

Studying

Teaching activities are mainly concentrated in the 1st year, during which students receive rigorous training in economics, together with a solid foundation in quantitative methods

PHD MMED ACTIVITIES A.A. 2026/2027

Course TitleHoursCFUProfessorSSDAreaFinal Exam
First Period (November - December 2026)
Advanced Econometrics for Decision Making121.5SeriECON-05Econometric techniques for economic decisions✓
Applied econometrics: causality and policy evaluation 302.5Castelnovo,
Porro,
Sonedda,
Vezzulli		ECON-05Econometric techniques for economic decisions✓
Transport decision making and sustainability 121.5MaggiECON-04Applied Microeconomics✓
Introduction to Macro Agent Based Models 121.5CaverzasiECON-01Macroeconomics✓
Introduction to MATLAB 81MorettoSTAT-04Computational methods for economic decisions✓
STATA Laboratory for Financial and Economic Analyses 101.25TandaECON-09Computational methods for economic decisions✓
Advanced Mathematical Methods for Economic Decisions 101.25TarsiaSTAT-04Quantitative tools for economic decisions✓ (joint with Rocca's course)
Second Period (February - May 2027)
Decision making in historical-economic perspective121.5BrambillaECON-01Macroeconomics, Historical Perspective✓
The economics of altruistic decisions and charitable giving101.25GalmariniECON-01Microeconomics✓
Applied econometrics: Health Economics182.25Robone, Orso, Garcia-PradoECON-03Applied Microeconomics✓
Networks: Theory and Applications121.5VanniSTAT-04Quantitative tools for economic decisions✓
Optimization with applications to finance and economics162RoccaSTAT-04Quantitative tools for economic decisions✓
Supplementary Lectures
Economic Growth Theory81MarsiglioECON-01Macroeconomics✓ (joint with La Torre's course)
Optimal Control Theory81La TorreSTAT-04Complementary tools for economic decisions✓
Microeconometrics for Experimental Economics101.25CongiuECON-01Microeconometrics✘
Structural Estimation40.5MantovanECON-05Econometric techniques for economic decisions✘
Academic Writing and Publishing40.5Massini-Transversal Activity✘
TBD40.5BorisovECON-09Corporate Finance, Financial Intermediation✓

PhD School – Transversal Training Activities

CourseTarget StudentsHoursFacultyDescription
Innovation Camp for Insubria PhD Students – An Immersion in Innovation and Execution1st and 2nd year36Fasano, Pisoni, Vezzulli, Farao, Capelli, BellucciEntrepreneurship, innovation and technology transfer; startup ecosystem; legal aspects; lean startup methodology; funding opportunities; teamwork; mentoring; pitch development and presentation.
Safety in the Laboratory1st year14Prevention and Protection ServiceSafety procedures, emergency management, first aid, workplace risks, chemical and biological risks, laboratory safety and personal protective equipment. Contact: prevenzione.sicurezza@uninsubria.it 
Artificial IntelligenceAll PhD students8Ref. FasanoFoundations of Artificial Intelligence, AI Act, and applications in life sciences, medicine, economics, humanities and engineering. Contact: dottorato.dimit@uninsubria.it 
Becoming a Researcher: Academic Writing and PublishingAll PhD students5Ref. MaggiJournal selection, manuscript preparation, peer review process, publication ethics, plagiarism, authorship and use of generative AI. Contact: dottorato.dieco@uninsubria.it 
Public SpeakingAll PhD students20TLC in collaboration with CLAEffective communication techniques, presentation structure, use of visual aids, audience engagement and public speaking practice. Contact: tlc@uninsubria.it 

In addition to curricular and transversal activities, students may participate in elective training activities offered by other PhD programs, including those at other universities. A minimum of 1 ECTS credit must be earned through these activities.

To find out about the available courses, PhD students can consult the inventory of PhD courses in the STAT-04 area compiled by an AMASES working group (information updated on 21 August 2026):

The calendar of activities is updated progressively. Activities for the period October-December 2026 are available here:

By the time they obtain the degree, PhD students must certify their language proficiency through a certificate issued by a recognised body, according to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), or by qualifying for one of the exemptions provided. Recognised certificates, exemptions, submission procedures and English courses offered by the University are listed at https://www.uninsubria.eu/course-catalogue/course-list/phd-doctoral-programs/information-enrolled-students/english-language

Attaining your qualification

Each PhD student is followed by a supervisor, usually a member of the Faculty Board, and by at least one co-supervisor (Ministerial Decree 226/2021, art. 6, para. 6), internal or external to the Board, possibly with an international or professional profile. The supervisor is assigned taking into account the research project, the expertise available within the Board and the student’s preferences.

The choice is made gradually during the first year – through courses, brown bag seminars, meetings with Visiting Professors and the presentation of research ideas (May/June). By 15 September of the first year, PhD students communicate the names to dottorato.dieco@uninsubria.it, copying the Coordinator; the assignment is then formally approved by the Faculty Board.

The supervisor monitors the progress of the project: plans, commitments and periods at other institutions must always be agreed with the supervisor.

From the first to the second year

To progress to the second year, students must have completed all examinations by 15 September of the first year. By the same deadline, each student communicates to the Faculty Board the name of their supervisor and of at least one co-supervisor, as described in the section “Supervisor and co-supervisor”.

From the second to the third year

To be admitted to the third year, by 15 September of the second year students must submit to the Faculty Board at least one original working paper containing preliminary results and/or a literature review. The working paper must be approved by the supervisor and the co-supervisor. 

Progress milestones

The scientific autonomy of PhD students is assessed over the three years through progressive milestones, in which their work is presented and discussed with the Faculty Board and evaluated for originality, clarity and relevance:

  • first year: at the end of the teaching period (May/June) each PhD student briefly presents their research ideas, receiving initial feedback and building a first network of contacts, also useful for choosing the supervisor and co-supervisor;
  • second year: in late spring a meeting with the Faculty Board is held to check the progress of the project and prepare the working paper to be submitted by 15 September;
  • third year: at the MMED Workshop each PhD student presents and discusses a paper related to their thesis.

By 15 September, each PhD candidate is required to submit an annual report to the Faculty Board documenting in detail the training and research activities carried out during the previous academic year, as well as the progress of their research project. Guidelines on the content and format of the report, which also includes the internal activity-monitoring questionnaire, are communicated to PhD students every year. The report must be sent to dottorato.dieco@uninsubria.it, copying the Coordinator.

At the end of the third year, the Faculty Board assesses the PhD student’s training path and the progress of the thesis for admission to the final examination. Deadlines, documentation and procedures for the assessment and defence of the thesis are set out on the Doctoral School page (section “Final examination”).

The thesis must make an original scientific contribution and consist of at least three chapters, each of a quality suitable for publication in peer-reviewed international journals; it may take the form of a collection of papers, linked by an introduction and a concise literature review. At least one single-authored chapter is recommended. 

PhD students are required to develop original and methodologically rigorous research outputs, aiming at publication in peer-reviewed international journals and favouring high-quality outlets. The Faculty Board and the supervisors verify the correspondence between the results produced and the student’s original contribution, including at the final assessment. In particular:

  • in co-authored works, the PhD student’s individual contribution must be made explicit through an Author Contribution Statement, in accordance with the established practices of the relevant scientific community;
  • publications must be registered in the IRIS institutional repository according to University guidelines, and each PhD student must communicate their ORCID identifier to the PhD Office;
  • the thesis must be deposited in the open-access institutional repository, in compliance with copyright and intellectual property regulations, also with a view to possible patent exploitation;
  • any use of artificial intelligence tools must be transparent and cannot replace the independent development of scientific ideas and content, in accordance with the University’s principles on the use of AI.

Course committees and representatives

The PhD Faculty Board is composed of professors from the University of Insubria, as well as scholars from other Italian and international universities.

 

Faculty Members of the University of Insubria

 

Faculty Members from Other Italian and International Universities

  • Alessandro Barbiero, Associate Professor of Statistics, Università di Milano
  • Cinzia Colapinto, Associate Professor of Management, Cà Foscari Università di Venezia
  • Giovanni P. Crespi, Full Professor of Mathematical Methods for Economics, LIUC – Università Carlo Cattaneo
  • Francesco Figari, Full Professor of Public Economics, Università del Piemonte Orientale
  • Chiara Gigliarano, Full Professor of Statistics, LIUC – Università Carlo Cattaneo
  • Davide La Torre, Full Professor of Mathematical Methods for Economics, University of Bologna; HDR, Associate Dean and Full Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Applied Mathematics, SKEMA Business School, Université Cote d’Azur, France
  • Jianyi Lin, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
  • Francesco Lissoni, Professor of Economics, University of Bordeaux, France
  • Danilo Liuzzi, Associate Professor of Mathematical Methods for Economics, Università di Milano
  • Simone Marsiglio, Associate Professor of Economics, Università di Pisa
  • Silvia Massini, Professor of Economics and Technology Management, University of Manchester, UK
  • Enrico Moretto, Assistant Professor of Mathematical Methods for Economics, Università di Milano Bicocca
  • Silvana Robone, Associate Professor of Economics, Università del Piemonte Orientale
  • Anna Cecilia Rosso, Associate Professor of Economics, Università di Milano
  • Davide Secchi, Associate Professor of Organizational Cognition, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
  • Valerio Sterzi, Professor of Economics, Università di Bordeaux, France

The AiQUA Committee of the MMED PhD Program is responsible for overseeing the quality assurance of all teaching and research activities within the PhD Program. It liaises with the Faculty Board, the Doctoral School, and the Department Council.

The Committee is composed of the Coordinator, four members of the Faculty Board, two PhD student representatives, and one member of the Educational Secretariat. The composition of the Committee is proposed by the Faculty Board and appointed by the Department Council.

Find out more:

AiQUA Committee - Methods and Models for Economic Decisions

The Advisory Committee is the body through which the PhD Programme engages in structured dialogue with its internal and external stakeholders. It contributes to the quality, relevance and continuous improvement of the Programme, providing an external perspective on its training and research activities and on their alignment with academic standards, research developments, societal needs and the career prospects of doctoral graduates.

Composition

The Committee includes representatives of the PhD Programme and of the Degree Programmes, members of the Doctoral Board, alumni and external stakeholders. Its composition is updated periodically to ensure appropriate academic and non-academic representation over time.

Scope of Consultations

Dialogue with the Committee supports the design, review and monitoring of the Programme. Consultations address, first of all, the identity of the Programme and its coherence with its academic and research scope, as well as its training and research objectives, with particular regard to disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transferable skills. The Committee also helps identify emerging skills needs and assess how they may be integrated into the training pathway, and ensures that research areas remain relevant and up to date in light of scientific and societal developments.

Particular attention is given to academic and non-academic career opportunities and their consistency with the training provided, to study, research and other external experiences in Italy and abroad, and to the Programme’s contribution to knowledge creation and to economic, social and cultural needs.

Method of Consultations

Consultations take different forms depending on the topics addressed and the stakeholders involved. Alongside consultations with relevant academic and external stakeholders, held in person or online and, where appropriate, supported by feedback tools, the Coordinator or the Doctoral Board may organise targeted meetings on specific aspects of the Programme.

The Committee also meets in plenary session, normally at least once a year. Recommendations and follow-up actions are recorded in the minutes and inform the periodic review of the Programme within the quality assurance system.

Find out more:

Advisory Committee - MMED PhD Program
  • Antinori Francesca 
  • Kurt Emre 
  • Piuri Marina 
  • Shah Bibi Fiza 
  • Vanegas Espinosa Tania Sofia 

For information

Dipartimento di Economia – DiECO

Università degli Studi dell'Insubria

Via Monte Generoso 71 - 21100 Varese – Italy

Coordinator: Prof.ssa Elisa Mastrogiacomo |  dottorato.dieco@uninsubria.it