PAST EVENT | VIENNA 2026

Doctoral Research Topic Architecture Workshop

The Doctoral Research Topic Architecture Workshop, held in Vienna, Austria, and live virtually on September 7–8, 2026, brought together researchers to develop broad ideas into focused, academically rigorous, and practically meaningful research topics through expert facilitation, Framework-Based Research Architecture (FBRA™), and hands-on exercises.

NEXT WORKSHOP: STELLENBOSCH 2027

Stay updated on dates, registration, and upcoming doctoral research opportunities.

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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.

The workshop introduced a practical, evidence-based methodology that helped participants systematically evaluate, refine, and strengthen their research direction.

WORKSHOP FOCUS

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?

Workshop Faculty

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.

 

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 Attended

The Vienna workshop brought together participants at different stages of their research and professional journeys.

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

📦What Participants Worked On

Participants worked through practical outputs designed to strengthen their research direction and 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

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

Joint Certificate of Completion

Participants who successfully completed the Vienna workshop received a Joint Certificate of Completion issued by Alma Mater Europaea, Stellenbosch University, and AIPMO. The certificate recognized 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 was 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 benefited from a practical, internationally relevant learning experience that supports the development of meaningful, defensible research topics and research designs.

Venue 2027

  • Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, South Africa

From Idea to Research Topic

Many professionals and prospective doctoral candidates begin with promising research ideas but need greater focus, structure, and academic rigor to develop them into meaningful research topics.

Using Framework-Based Research Architecture (FBRA™), participants work through broad interests, organizational challenges, and practitioner observations to develop clearer and more structured research directions.

Working alongside experienced facilitators and fellow researchers, participants strengthen their research foundations and identify practical next steps toward PhD, DBA, or Master’s proposal development.

The workshop combines structured methodology, practical application, and peer discussion to help participants move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

The next Doctoral Research Topic Architecture Workshop is planned for Stellenbosch, South Africa, in 2027.

Stay updated for dates, venue details, and registration information.

STELLENBOSCH 2027 – STAY UPDATED