Second Call for Doctoral Program Applications
IT:U Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria, in cooperation with Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU), has officially opened the second call for applications to the doctoral program “Digital Transformation in Learning.” Interested candidates now have the opportunity to apply until April 30th, 2025.
The program, conducted in English, is set to start in the winter semester of 2025 and will be led by Assistant Professor Sebastian Dennerlein from IT:U and Professor Markus Hohenwarter from JKU’s Linz School of Education. The program addresses the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on higher education and workplace learning, focusing on empowering learners to actively engage in their learning processes.
The doctoral candidates will participate in interdisciplinary research projects aimed at developing intelligent technologies for active and project-based learning. Key research areas include social dynamics in interdisciplinary projects, coordination between individual and collaborative learning, integration of learning and regulation, the role of intelligent educational technologies, as well as the impact of emotions and well-being in learning.
Candidates will gain expertise in computational thinking, design-based research, and interdisciplinary approaches, exploring insights from fields such as psychology, pedagogy, physics, and computer science, with a focus on STEM education, instructional design, and professional learning.
This doctoral program is part of a broader strategic partnership between JKU and IT:U, officially established through a long-term cooperation agreement. Beyond launching this doctoral program, the two universities have committed to extensive collaboration across educational and research activities, including joint infrastructure initiatives such as a shared computing center.
The partnership, officially initiated in 2024, demonstrates a shared vision to position Linz as a leading location for innovative higher education. Guided by a high-level Strategy Board, the collaboration explores synergies, maximizes shared resources, and emphasizes transparency in advancing educational excellence and research capabilities.