Doctoral Research Topic Architecture Workshop

Two-Day Intensive Workshop

Transform broad ideas into focused, academically rigorous, and practically meaningful research topics through expert facilitation, Framework-Based Research Architecture (FBRA™), and hands-on exercises.

  • Vienna, Austria | Live Virtual  
  • September 7-8, 2026
  • 09:00–17:00 CEST
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AMEU / Partner University Students
 
📍 Face-to-Face      €400
💻 Live Virtual      €300
External Participants
 
📍 Face-to-Face      €1,000
💻 Live Virtual      €700
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From Research Ideas to Defensible Research Topics

Many prospective PhD, DBA, and Master’s candidates begin with interesting ideas but struggle to define a research topic that is focused, original, academically rigorous, and practically relevant.

Research ideas are often too broad, too narrow, lack a clear contribution, or fail to connect theory with real-world challenges. Without a structured approach, developing a strong research proposal can become time-consuming and frustrating.

This workshop introduces a practical, evidence-based methodology that helps participants systematically evaluate, refine, and strengthen their research direction before investing significant time in proposal

WHY ATTEND

How do I identify a meaningful research topic?

Is my research problem sufficiently focused?

What research gap or contribution can I realistically make?

How do I connect theory with practice?

How do I build a strong foundation for my research proposal?

Lead Trainer & Facilitator

Dr. Robert Joslin

Professor of Project Management | President, AIPMO | Assistant Professor, Alma Mater Europaea – ECM
 

Dr. Robert Joslin is an internationally recognized PMO management expert with over 35 years of academic, industry, and consulting experience, specializing in PMO design, governance, and organizational transformation.

He has designed and implemented hundreds of PMOs across public and private sectors and developed AIPMO’s PMO Strategic Lifecycle Framework, used by organizations worldwide.

He combines academic research with extensive practical experience to deliver engaging, case-based learning that helps participants apply research and project management concepts to real organizational challenges.

 

Lead Trainer & Facilitator

Dr. Mladen Radujković

Professor of Project Management | Head of the International Doctoral Study in Project Management, Alma Mater Europaea – ECM

Prof. Dr. Mladen Radujković is an internationally recognized project management scholar with over 35 years of academic, industry, and consulting experience, including more than a decade in professional practice.

He has published around 200 research papers, delivered keynote presentations at more than 50 international conferences, and provided leadership, supervision, and consultancy across research, infrastructure, tourism, transport, education, and investment projects. He has also served as President of the International Project Management Association (IPMA) and is the President of the Croatian Association for Project Management (CAPM).

Who Should Attend

Designed for individuals seeking to develop, refine, and validate meaningful research topics for doctoral or Master’s studies.

🎓 PhD, DBA & Master’s Candidates
💼 Industry Professionals
👨‍🏫 Academics & Supervisors
🔬 Early-Career Researchers
💡 Consultants & Practitioners

📦What You Will Leave With

Participants leave with practical outputs that provide a strong foundation for doctoral-level research and proposal development.

Research Topic Architecture Pack

  • Working research title

  • Refined problem statement

  • Preliminary research questions

  • Domain and context analysis

  • Key constructs and relationships

  • Potential theoretical lenses
  • Framework-Based Research Architecture (FBRA™) positioning
  • Alignment with existing knowledge
  • Research ecosystem mapping
  • Research feasibility assessment
  • Expected academic contribution
  • Practical relevance evaluation
  • Research scope validation
  • Structured research direction
  • Proposal development roadmap
  • Next steps toward doctoral research
  • Action plan for refinement
  • Ability to identify meaningful research problems
  • Confidence in refining research topics
  • Improved critical thinking
  • Better integration of theory and practice
  • Clear direction for PhD, DBA, or Master’s research
  • Confidence to progress toward proposal development
  • Personalized feedback from workshop facilitators
  • Practical tools for continued research development
Continue Your Doctoral Journey

Learn more about the collaborating doctoral programs and research initiatives.

Alma Mater Europaea Stellenbosch University AIPMO PhD Program

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

Receive a Joint Certificate of Completion

Upon successful completion of the workshop, participants receive a Joint Certificate of Completion issued by Alma Mater Europaea, Stellenbosch University, and AIPMO. The certificate recognizes participation in an intensive, professor-led workshop focused on developing meaningful research topics and rigorous research designs for Master's, PhD, and DBA candidates.

Workshop Partners

This workshop is proudly delivered in collaboration with internationally recognized academic and professional institutions dedicated to advancing doctoral research, academic excellence, and evidence-based practice. Through shared expertise and global collaboration, participants benefit from a practical, internationally relevant learning experience that supports the development of meaningful, defensible research topics and research designs.

What Our Doctoral Students Say

Combining scientific expertise with strategic thinking transformed the way I approach research, leadership, and innovation in healthcare. The experience strengthened my confidence in applying research to create meaningful impact within the pharmaceutical industry.

    Diana Schaffer
    Diana Schaffer

    Head of Quality Assurance Austria

    Connecting project management with governance, strategy, and leadership gave me a much broader perspective on delivering sustainable outcomes. It provided a structured framework for addressing complex infrastructure challenges through research.

      Darko Nesterenko
      Darko Nesterenko

      Operations Supervisor, Germany

      Years of professional experience evolved into a well-defined doctoral research problem through a structured and analytical research approach. The programme equipped me with the tools to understand complex stakeholder and governance challenges from a systemic perspective.

        Simon Vrečar
        Simon Vrečar

        Business Owner and Consultant, Italy / Slovenia

        The experience shifted my perspective from measuring academic impact to creating research that delivers meaningful value in practice. It strengthened my ability to connect rigorous research with real-world leadership and organizational challenges.

          René Lehnert
          René Lehnert

          Interim Manager | Freelance Consultant, Germany

          Discussions with professors from diverse backgrounds sharpened my research focus and gave me greater confidence in shaping my doctoral direction. The programme encouraged me to explore contemporary project management challenges with greater clarity and critical thinking.

            Priya Sai Hansika Vanam
            Priya Sai Hansika Vanam

            Operations Supervisor, Germany

            Venue

            • Alma Mater Europaea University, Kölblgasse 8, 1030 Wien, Austria
            • September 7-8, 2026
            • 09:00–17:00 CEST

            From Idea to Research Topic

            Many professionals and prospective doctoral candidates have promising ideas but struggle to define a focused, academically rigorous, and practically relevant research direction.

            This intensive two-day workshop introduces Framework-Based Research Architecture (FBRA™), helping participants transform broad interests, organizational challenges, and practitioner observations into well-structured research topics.

            Working alongside experienced facilitators and fellow researchers, you will develop a structured research blueprint containing the essential building blocks needed to progress confidently toward a PhD, DBA, or Master’s research proposal.

            Whether you are exploring research for the first time or refining an existing idea, this workshop provides a practical framework to move forward with clarity and confidence.

            Register Now