School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics Doctoral Degrees

Who can apply

To apply for a PhD candidacy, candidates are required to provide:

• an undergraduate degree from a recognised University
• a postgraduate degree from a recognised University
• proof of English competence [a recognised certificate of proficiency of C2]
• a 1200-2500 research proposal analysing the topic and methods of the PhD thesis (and suggested academic supervisor)
• a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a completed application form (download)

First step: Please check the research profiles of the Academic Faculty and also visit their google scholar profiles for recent publications. If you believe that your research interests align, email the academic member and send your research proposal and CV to discuss the topic.
Second step: After fruitful discussion with the academic member of the School and his/her approval for applying for a PhD position, please send the above documents in electronic form via e-mail to phd.shsse.admissions@ihu.edu.gr to start your application process.

Application submissions for a PhD candidacy is on a rolling basis.

The official language of the PhD programme is English.

PhD Process & Progress

The application is examined by relevant academics (including the recommended prospective supervisor) who evaluate the application and propose to the General Assembly of the School. The latter is the official body which will decide on the application’s acceptance or rejection. In case of acceptance, the applicant is enrolled with the School as a PhD student and the main supervisor is allocated.

The main supervisor is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the PhD progress and specific academic guidance on the topic, direction of research and the structure of the thesis. The supervision is also supported by another two academic members with expertise in the specific area of research and all together form the three-member Advisory Committee. The two members of the advisory team are chosen in consultation with the main supervisor as having interests and expertise relevant to the topic of the research. Where appropriate they may be drawn from other schools or Universities in Greece or abroad.

PhD Curriculum & Career

The PhD students, based upon supervisor’s recommendation, may be required to undertake certain courses in Research Methodology or other subjects and attend relevant seminars provided by the University.

The duration for obtaining the Doctorate Degree is at least three (3) full calendar years from the date of appointment of the three-member Advisory Committee. The maximum time for submitting the doctoral thesis for VIVA (a formal oral examination of the PhD candidate by a panel of experts for answering questions regarding the thesis and the research area) is set at six (6) full calendar years from the date of appointment of the three-Member Advisory Committee.

The results of PhD-level research are published in leading conferences and academic journals in the related field.

Doctorates from the Department of School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics pursue careers in universities or research centers in Greece and abroad or participate in research/business and other departments of companies and organizations around the world.

Fees & Financing

There are no tuition fees associated with the PhD candidacy.

In specific cases, the PhD candidates may be supported by competitive research programs from research bodies such as: European Union, General Secretariat for Research and Technology, State Scholarship Foundation, Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation.

Academic Faculty

PhD student Profiles & Research

Awarded PhDs

PhD in Accounting Chantziaras Antonios	Antonios Chantziaras (ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1309-6967) holds a Ph.D. degree in Accounting from the International Hellenic University (Greece) since 2017. Additionally, he completed his master studies (M.Sc.) in Banking and Finance at the International Hellenic University in 2012. During his Ph.D. studies, he developed his programming skills and enriched his knowledge over data management and analysis techniques. His research interests lie in the areas of labor unionization, audit pricing, corporate social responsibility (CSR), initial public offerings (IPOs), social norms (i.e., societal trust and religiosity), and sustainable development. Email: a.chantziaras@ihu.edu.gr Current research and other information The impact of labor unionization on audit fees, CSR reporting and IPO underpricing Antonios’ PhD research examines the impact of labor unionization on monitoring costs, voluntary disclosure, and corporate finance. Using a novel firm-level collective bargaining dataset (programmatically extracted from companies’ filings), Antonios attempt to portray the impact of labor unionization on corporate matters. First, his research suggests that audit fees become significantly higher at firms with organized labor, attributable to the more complex structures of unionized firms that increase both the risk and the magnitude of audit fees. The magnitude of labor unionization on audit fees increases (reduces) when the political ideology is supportive of labor unions (employees participate in the ownership of the firm). Second, his investigation indicates that firms are more likely to adopt CSR reporting strategies as a response to labor unionization. Overall, the effect of union influence on CSR reporting is prominent in areas with incremental union power, attributable to political ideology, the legal environment, and corporate spatial clustering. Finally, Antonios finds that a unionized firm’s decision to go public (through an Initial Public Offering – IPO) is associated with less underpricing (less volatility in first day returns) and with downward offer price revisions. Overall, information asymmetries and salient agency costs discourage the participation of investors in an IPO and also compromise the demand investors have for an IPO. Main Supervisor Prof. Stergios Leventis, International Hellenic University, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics Advisory Committee Prof. Kostas Stathopoulos, University of Manchester, Department of Accounting and Finance Prof. Nikos Vafeas, University of Cyprus, Department of Accounting and Finance
PhD in Accounting Koulikidou Kleopatra	Kleopatra is a Ph.D. holder in Accounting and Finance from International Hellenic University. She holds a B.Sc. in Economics from University of Macedonia and an M.Sc in Banking and Finance from International Hellenic University. Her research interests are in the areas of financial reporting enforcement, regulatory agencies and textual analysis. Email: k.koulikidou@gmail.com Current research and other information Kleopatra’s Ph.D. research explores the impact of regulatory language tone on the US capital markets, the influence of regulatory liability on the SEC’s tone content, and the probability of receiving a SEC comment letter. Through firm-level collective language-tone datasets and matched samples of foreign and US companies, her study’s main aim is to provide greater insights into the impact of regulatory disadvantage during the filing review process and to improve the understanding of how regulatory discrimination and institutional differences shape the SEC linguistic nuance. Main Supervisor Prof. Leventis Stergios, International Hellenic University, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics Advisory Committee Prof. Markelos Raphael, University of East Anglia, Norwich Business School (NBS), Prof. Delis Manthos, Audencia Business School Prof. Georgakopoulos George, University of Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics and Business Dr. Fragiskos Archontakis, International Hellenic University, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics Prof. Kiriaki Kosmidou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Economics Dr. Stavroula Kourdoumpalou, University of Macedonia, Department of Business Administration
PhD in Business Analysis Galetsi Panagiota	Panagiota Galetsi holds a Ph.D. from the International Hellenic University (Greece) since 2021. Additionally, she completed her master studies (M.Sc.) in Management at the International Hellenic University in 2012. Her research interests include business analytics, bibliometric analysis, health services research, supply chain management, corporate governance, consumer behavior, decision support systems and recently, the analysis of Diversion, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) practices in the use of big data analytics and artificial intelligence in healthcare services and technologies. She has published research in journals such the Social Sciences & Medicine, Journal of the Operational Research Society, International Journal of Information Management, Decision Sciences, Annals of the Operations Research and others Email: p.galetsi@ihu.edu.gr Current research and other information Business analytics in healthcare operations and the use of mobile applications for decision making by health professionals Panagiota’ s PhD research includes two parts. The objective of the first part focused on how big data resources are utilized to create organization and social values, discussing the classification of big data types related to healthcare, the associate analysis techniques, the platforms and tools for handling big health data and the future aspects in the field. In the second part the Doctoral Thesis aims to review available mHealth apps addressed to medical professionals and explore the multiple dimensions of the research subject. A special emphasis is placed on mHealth apps that use artificial intelligence. The Thesis contributes to the information systems and operations management research. This study also provides a multi-layered analysis and aims to assist health professionals and health policy makers with a better understanding of how the development of an innovative data driven strategy can improve public health and the functioning of healthcare organizations but also how such a strategy creates challenges that need to be addressed in the near future to avoid societal malfunctions. Main Supervisor Prof Korina Katsaliaki, International Hellenic University, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics Advisory Committee Prof Kumar Sameer, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota Prof Stergioulas, The Hague University of Applied Sciences As. Prof Kostagiolas Petros, Ionian University, Greece
PhD in Classical Archeology Peli Plika	Peli holds a PhD in Classical Archaeology from the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics at the International Hellenic University. She was awarded a three-year scholarship from the Onassis Foundation for her PhD research. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and Archaeology with specialization in Archaeology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a MA in Black Sea Cultural Studies from the International Hellenic University. Peli has been working for the Greek Ministry of Culture as an archaeologist since 2009, participating in archaeological excavations in Macedonia. She is an Academic Scholar of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics at the International Hellenic University since 2022. Email: p.plika@ihu.edu,gr Current research and other information The farmhouse at Agios Konstantinos, in the village Dimitra of Grevena. Contribution to the study of the Hellenistic farmhouse in Macedonia Peli’s PhD research exams a Hellenistic farmhouse, which have been uncovered in the village Dimitra of Grevena. The farmhouse of Agios Konstantinos is a large, rectangular residential complex, which served as a permanent establishment. The farmhouse was in use for the period from the late 3rd century BC to the early 1st century BC. It is classified according to its typology with the farmhouses of a rectangular plan and enclosed central courtyard. The architectural plan of the building follows the typical architectural plan of the Hellenistic houses. However, the farmhouse of Agios Konstantinos is quite different from most Hellenistic farmhouses in Macedonia, because of the luxurious wall decoration in some rooms, which were directly related to the process of the symposium. It seems that the building complex was a large and autonomous economic unit, the result of private initiative. The study of the farmhouse of Agios Konstantinos has contributed to the reassessment of the view that the Hellenistic farmhouse and its role in the socio-economic life of the ancient polis are only inherently linked to agricultural activities, as it has been long argued. The present study also highlights the artisanal and social character that these building units could enjoy. The seemingly “isolated” farmhouse has proven, geographically and economically, not to be one such. The results from the research into the farmhouse of Agios Konstantinos prove wrong the theories that considered the region of Grevena to be isolated and poor during in Hellenistic times. The occupation of the farmhouse and the good quality of the construction of the building indicate an owner of high social status. Two broader (and potential) conclusions can thus be drawn. Firstly, the inhabitants of the farmhouses in Macedonia could have led a luxurious life inside their farmhouses, similar to that of the inhabitants of the urban centers of Macedonia during the Hellenistic period. Secondly, in this particular region of west Macedonia there could have existed a social group that involved the national elite. Main Supervisor Professor M. Manoledakis, International Hellenic University, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics Advisory Committee Professor H. Manakidou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of History and Archaeology Professor Emeritus E. Voutiras, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of History and Archaeology

PhD students

PhD student in Accounting Chatzi Kalliopi	Kalliopi is a PhD student at the University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS) of the International Hellenic University (IHU). She holds a B. Sc. in Accounting and Finance from University of Macedonia; Thessaloniki, Greece and a M.Sc in International Accounting, Auditing and Financial Management from University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS) of the International Hellenic University (IHU); Thermi, Greece. She developed a strong interest in research from her master’s degree. Especially, from her dissertation, which was based on tax aggressiveness and boardroom diversity. Her research interests are in the areas of Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Email: k.chatzi@ihu.edu.gr Current research and other information Tax aggressiveness and auditing: Evidence from Greece Kalliopi’s PhD research explores the influence of the Tax Certificate. Her study’s main aim is to contribute to the literature regarding the Tax Certificate, a tax law that changed tax audit procedure, in Greece. Her research provides a robust theoretical framework and an empirical contribution to auditing and tax literature. Main Supervisor Stergios Leventis, Professor of Accounting, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics, University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS) of the International Hellenic University (IHU) Advisory Committee Yannis Tsalavoutas, Professor of Accounting and Finance, Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow Emmanouil Dedoulis, Associate Professor of Accounting, Department of Business Administration, Athens University of Economics and Business
PhD student in Business Analysis Loulos Vasileios	Vasilis Loulos is a PhD student at the International Hellenic University. He holds a M.Sc. in Global Production Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin; Germany, and an B.Sc in Industrial Engineering from AUTH; Greece. Vasilis brings more than 10 years of professional experience in the regulated environment of Pharma and Chemical Industries. Currently he is leading the department of Digital Revenue Management in Pfizer. His main research interests are the applied application of outsourcing strategy in supply chain, the collaboration between competitors in the frame of supply chain operations and the supply chain strategies of companies. Email: vloulos@ihu.edu.gr Current research and other information Vasilis’s PhD research is related to proposing a model for calculating the total cost of outsourcing. The aim of the thesis is to quantify savings of outsourcing, understand the factors that increase the total cost of operations and what role could synergies between competitors (coopetition) play in outsourcing decisions. His focus is also on supply chain coopetition as an alternative strategy, exploring the possible structures, mechanisms and dynamics of supply chain coopetition. Main Supervisor Prof Korina Katsaliaki, International Hellenic University, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics Advisory Committee Prof Kumar Sameer, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota Prof Navonil Mustafee, Exeter University, UK
PhD student in Classical Archeology George Vavliakis	George Vavliakis is a PhD student at the International Hellenic University, School of Humanities. He holds a B.Sc. in Archaeology from Ioannina University, and two M.Sc. both in Classical Archaeology (International Hellenic University, School of Humanities) and Byzantine Archaeology and Art (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki). He developed a strong interest in research from his master’s degree, and further in his role as a field archaeologist in several excavations all over Macedonian region as contracted archaeologist of the Greek Ministry of Culture. His research interests are in the areas of ancient glass and equines. Email: gvavliakis@yahoo.com Current research and other information THE DEPICTION OF THE HORSE AND ITS USE IN ANCIENT MACEDONIA AND THRACE George Vavliaki’s PhD research explores horse’s depictions that reflect the importance of the horse for the region of Macedonia and Thrace throughout antiquity, in a chronological range from the sub-Mycenaean period to Roman times. Moreover. his study contributes to the combined competence of all data imaging depictions in order to explore the significant role of the horse to the economic prosperity and the technological progress in all sectors that horse had active participation, such as daily life, war, hunting, festivals. The research refers to the historical elements of horses, the categories of depiction, the geographical spread of the types of horses as well as the interpretations and symbolisms. Main Supervisor Dr. Manolis Manoledakis. Professor of Classical Archaeology | Dean of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics Advisory Committee Dr Eleni Manakidou. Professor of Classical Archaeology (ΑUTh) Eleni Papagianni. Associate Professor of Classical Archaeology (ΑUTh)
PhD student in Ecology Theofilidou Aphrodite	Theofilidou is a PhD student at the International Hellenic University of Thessaloniki. She holds an integrated M.Sc. in Agricultural Science from Aristotle University; Thessaloniki. Her research interests are in the areas of sustainable agriculture and soil microbiology, and the recovery of contaminated soils. Email: atheofilidou@ihu.edu.gr Current research and other information The application of selenium and biostimulants to mitigate the heavy metal stress in horticultural crops and their effect on soil biological properties This PhD dissertation explores the effect of selenium (Se) and the biostimulants amendment to arsenic (As) contaminated soils and evaluates their effect on biological and physicochemical soil characteristics, in which annual leafy vegetables will be cultivated. Main Supervisor Assistant Professor of Soil Ecology Nikolaos Monokrousos | School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics Advisory Committee Dr Dionysios Gasparatos, Associate Professor, Natural Resources Utilization and Agricultural Engineering, AUA Dr Vassilis Aschonitis Senior Research Scientist, Soil and Water Resources Institute of ELGO DEMETER
PhD student in Ecology Kekelis Panagiotis	Kekelis is a PhD student at the International Hellenic University of Thessaloniki. He holds a B.Sc. in Agricultural Science from Aristotle University; Thessaloniki, and a M.Sc in Soil Resources Management from Aristotle University; Thessaloniki. His research interests are in the areas of sustainable agriculture and soil microbiology, and the importance of free-living nematodes in ecosystems. Email: pkekelis@ihu.edu.gr Current research and other information Effect of coffee ground application on soil physicochemical variables and microbial community structure This PhD dissertation explores the influence of coffee waste as a soil amendment on free-living nematodes. The main aim of his stady is to introduce new ways of using coffee waste moving towards the direction of circular economy and also, to show the importance of soil nematodes as soil health indices, underlining the necessity of avoiding the drastic and non-selective methods of plant protection. Main Supervisor Assistant Professor of Soil Ecology Nikolaos Monokrousos | School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics Advisory Committee Dr Vassilis Aschonitis Senior Research Scientist, Soil and Water Resources Institute of ELGO DEMETER Dr Effimia M Papatheodorou Full Professor of Soil Ecology, Aristotle University
PhD student in Ecology Ravani Maria	Maria Ravani is a PhD student at the International Hellenic University. She holds an Integrated Master in Agricultural Sciences from the School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH); Greece, and an M.Sc in Sustainable Agricultural Production systems and Climate Change from the School of Agriculture, AUTH; Greece. Since April of 2022, she collaborates with the Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, ELGO DIMITRA, in Thessaloniki Greece on environmental analyses covering the entire range of the agrifood chain. Her main research interests are the study of sustainable production systems, environmental analyses and carbon footprint calculations using the LCA method, in combination with statistical analysis, modelling and programming languages (Python, R).  Email: mravani@ihu.edu.gr Current research and other information Environmental impact of agricultural systems utilizing renewable energy resources to enhance biodiversity and sustainable rural production. Maria’s PhD research is related to the investigation of the environmental impacts derived from the novel agricultural systems. The aim of the thesis is the life cycle analysis of the products and the calculation of environmental indicators, such as the carbon footprint in accordance with the guidelines provided by ISO 14040, 14044 and 14067, in order to formulate cultivation plans with a reduced use of inputs, leveraging renewable resources. At the same time, emphasis will be placed on maintaining the biodiversity of the soil and promoting practices that protect the environment in order to optimize and more sustainably manage production systems.  Supervising committee Assistant Professor Nikolaos Monokrousos, International Hellenic University, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics (Supervisor) Associate Researcher Georgios K. Ntinas, Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, ELGO DIMITRA (Supervisor) Associate Researcher Afroditi Tsampalla, Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, ELGO DIMITRA (Member of Supervising Committee)
PhD student in Ecology Magkdi Mola	Magkdi is a PhD Candidate at the International Hellenic University (IHU). Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, he earned a B.Sc. in Biology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) as well as an M.Sc. in Ecology and Conservation Biology from the same university. During his studies, he developed a strong interest in the field of Ecology, specifically Soil Ecology, focusing on the interactions between soil microbial communities and the complex nature of soil and plants. He has considerable research experience both from the research projects in which he has participated (Horizon 2020, DFG, etc.) and from his role as a research assistant in the Plant, Fungal, and Soil Ecology Lab of Freie Universität Berlin. Email: mmola@ihu.edu.gr Current research and other information Wastewater impacts on soil and plant properties Wastewater reuse is a long-established practice and the main alternative to freshwater for crop irrigation. Magkdi’s PhD research explores the impacts of treated wastewater irrigation on soil microbial communities and soil nematodes under different agricultural regimes. The diversity and abundance of both groups of organisms are used as indexes to assess the effects of treated wastewater irrigation on the health and quality of the soil. His PhD study tends to bridge the existing research gap and provide a holistic approach of wastewater impacts on soil for theoretical and practical use. Main Supervisor Assistant Professor Dr.Nikolaos Monokrousos, International Hellenic University, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics Advisory Committee Professor Dr. Effimia Papatheodorou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Biology Senior Researcher Dr. Panagiotis Kougias, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation DIMITRA
PhD student in Legal studies Vassiliki Spiliopoulou	Vassiliki Spiliopoulou is a PhD student at the International Hellenic University (I.H.U.). She holds an LLM in Transnational and European Commercial Law, Mediation, Arbitration and Energy Law from the I.H.U.. She is an attorney-at-law of the Athens Bar Association since 2010 specializing in Public Procurement Law, Environmental Law and Energy Law representing her clients before the Supreme Administrative Court in Greece. She is also a legal counsel in Hellenic Ministries that act as contracting authorities. e-mail: vasspil14@gmail.com Current research and other information Current Research “The interaction between the principles of public procurement law and the promotion of Green Public Procurement (GPP) – EU law and Greek law in the service of GPP” The proposed research will focus on the interaction between the principles governing the public procurement law in general and the need/obligation to promote the Green Public Procurement (G.P.P.). The aim is to highlight the relevant problem, to identify the issues that prevent the “greening” of public contracts and to propose solutions from a legal point of view, in order to make the study a tool that will support both the contracting authorities and the economic operators during the conclusion and execution of G.P.P.. Main Supervisor Mr. Th. Panagos, associate Professor of Energy and Hydrocarbons Law, Energy Policy and Regulatory Affairs and Cross-Border Energy Trade of I.H.U.
PhD student in Ecology Michailidou Eleni	The CV will soon be available Current research and other information The content will soon be available

News – Announcements

Quality Assurance & Evaluation Reports

Quality Assurance Policy

https://www.ihu.gr/politiki-poiotitas

Evaluation Reports

• Internal Evaluation Report
• External Evaluation Report

Useful Videos

Doctoral Degrees at the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics of the University Center of International Programmes of Studies (Video 1)

Doctoral Degrees at the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics of the University Center of International Programmes of Studies (Video 2)

PhD studies in Ecology and Agriculture (Video)

How to write a scientific article/dissertation (Video)

Useful Documents

Gazette of Internal Regulation

Gazette of Internal Regulation (in Greek) (pending revision in accordance with the provisions of Law 4957/2022.)

Law 4957/2022, articles 90-97 refer to doctoral studies.

Student Ombudsman

https://www.ihu.gr/synigoros-foititi

Research Ethics Regulation

https://www.ihu.gr/modip/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/Research_Ethics.pdf

Location

The School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics is located in the University Center of International Programmes of Studies of the International Hellenic University in Thermi-Thessaloniki, Greece

Contact

Postal address:
School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics
Department of School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics
University Center of International Programmes of Studies
14th km Thessaloniki – Nea Moudania 570 01 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece

Tel: +30 2310 807 526/523/530

Email: infoshsse@ihu.edu.gr