No dia 14 de Maio, Joris Alberdingk Thijm (ICS-ULisboa), Hugo Ferrinho Lopes (EEG-UMinho & ISCTE-IUL) e João Pedro Conduto (ICS-ULisboa), recém-doutorados em Ciência Política pelo ICS-ULisboa, serão os oradores convidados de um Seminário do Grupo de Investigação SPARC, com o tema The Last Chapter Syndrome: Challenges at the Finish Line of a PhD. 

A partir das 14h30, na Sala 1 do ICS-ULisboa e online.

Abstract:

Completing a PhD is often described as a marathon—but what happens in the final stretch? “The Last Chapter Syndrome” brings together recent PhD graduates to reflect on the often-overlooked challenges of finishing a doctorate. From navigating institutional bureaucracy to overcoming writing fatigue, self-doubt, and time pressure, this roundtable opens an honest conversation about what it really takes to cross the finish line. Join us to hear firsthand experiences, practical advice, and the lessons our speakers wish they had known earlier. Whether you are just starting your PhD or approaching submission, this session offers valuable insights to help you navigate the final chapter with clarity and confidence.

Short bios of guest speakers:

Joris Alberdingk Thijm has a PhD in Political Science from the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon. His main line of research focuses on coalition governance in presidential systems. Other research interests include discourse, Brazilian politics and corruption. His work has appeared in journals such as Legislative Studies Quarterly, Political Research Quarterly and Latin American Research Review.

Hugo Ferrinho Lopes is an invited assistant professor of political science at EEG-UMinho and Iscte–IUL. He is also an associate researcher at ICS, University of Lisbon, where he received his PhD in September 2025. Previously, he was a visiting doctoral researcher at the EUI and IPP-CSIC, and has taught at UBI and Lusófona. In the Fall of 2026, he will join Georgetown University’s Department of Government as the FLAD Visiting Professor.

João Pedro Conduto recently completed his PhD in Comparative Politics at ICS-ULisboa, with a thesis on electoral fairness in Sub-Saharan Africa. Currently a team member on Project LINKS (ICS-ULisboa), his research interests include elections, democratisation and political representation in Africa.