About

The program emphasizes the acquisition of diverse research skills for students, including focused training for academic careers in Israel and around the world. It includes a number of courses and activities. The program includes the following courses, with instructors varying from year to year:

Courses 

2021–2022:

Semester A:  Idit Seminar with Professor Baruch Eitam, Director of Idit, Department of Psychology (2 credits)

Semester B: Introduction to Data Mining for the Social Sciences with Dr. Igor Kleiner, Department of Statistics (2 credits)

2020–2021:

Semester A:  "Normal People:" A Multidisciplinary and Historical Perspective on Psychopathology and Measurement with Dr. Tal Arbel, Department of History (2 credits)

Semester B: Qualitative Research Methods Semester with Dr. Ayelet Banai, School of Political Science - Department of Government and Political Idea (2 credits)

2019–2020:

Semester A: Introduction to Statistical Modeling in R with Mr. Valentin Wentzek, Department of Statistics (Credits 2)

Semester B: Creativity and Criticism in Social Sciences - Time, Space and Thought with Dr. Gal Garzon, School of Political Science, Department of Government and Political Idea (2 credits)

Idit hosts two closed workshops a year exclusively for Idit students. So far, the following workshops have been offered:

Acting workshop delivered by Mr. Matan Goren

Machine learning workshop delivered by Mr. Etam Benger

fMRI workshop delivered by Dr. Uri Hertz

Mindfulness workshop delivered by Dr. Asaf Federman

Time management and presentations delivered by Orly Tal, Co.Do

• Bi-weekly Idit meeting dedicated to a variety of relevant academic topics. Some of the sessions are delivered by various faculty members while some sessions are devoted to collaborative learning. 

• Idit Seminar at least once a semester initiated by Idit scholars with a leading figure from the academic / social / economic field in Israel to discuss various contemporary issues.

• Annual international social science conference planned by the Idit scholars, "Haifa Workshops for Interdisciplinary Research in the Social Sciences."

• Research workshops from the faculty of "The House of Method" - The House for Research, Writing and Teaching in Social Sciences -  focusing on academic writing, article writing, and quantitative and qualitative research methods. 

• Excursions to inspire research, such as a visit to the House of Associations. 

• Ad hoc projects with potential social impact. 

Idit scholars will receive travel support for conferences beyond university support (at least one conference during the Ph.D.), guidance on building direct contact with the university community and abroad and guidance on applying for research grants.

Students are expected to complete their studies and submit their doctoral dissertation no later than four years since beginning the program. Due to the aim of integration into the academy, the expectation is that an Idit scholar will publish her research in leading international outlets (as is customary in the discipline). In exceptional cases, a program member may extend their studies by one semester. Students will adhere to all the rules of study as published by the Advanced Studies Authority in the official curriculum. Throughout the 4 years students are expected to devote the vast majority of their time to their research.

The Idit Scholarship at the Herta & Paul Amir Faculty of social Sciences is made up of a basic stipend of ILS 70,000 per academic year, with additional funds available for workshops and research-related travel and more.