Research drives the INSEAD PhD Programme. In the first two years, you’ll gain essential knowledge and master analytical skills. The second phase is a research apprenticeship, collaborating with world-class faculty to produce and potentially publish original work. Unlike many universities, INSEAD minimises teaching duties but provides training to transform your research into impactful classroom teaching and real-world influence.
INSEAD is not just the "Business School for the World"—we are deeply committed to using business as a force for good. Around 20% of our research focuses on sustainability, reflected in PhD projects on topics like bike-share systems, mobile health clinics in Africa, vaccine markets in India, and CEO personality impacts on corporate social responsibility. Recent graduates continue this work in emerging markets, global healthcare, environmental operations, and humanitarian logistics.
Faculty seminars and workshop series are central to INSEAD's research environment, running year-round with contributions from distinguished visiting academics. Doctoral students are encouraged to actively participate and present their own research early in their studies.
Advanced technology drives our success in uniting a single class across two continents. Both campuses feature state-of-the-art video conferencing for seminars, research meetings, and lectures—enabling seamless collaboration and the best of both worlds.
INSEAD PhD students are encouraged to attend conferences early, offering valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, stay updated on research, network, and present papers. Beyond full funding for fees and living expenses, additional grants support global conference participation. INSEAD also hosts annual conferences and roundtables, bringing global expertise directly to campus.
INSEAD PhD students work closely with faculty, gaining hands-on experience in the publication process essential for academic success. With professors targeting top journals, students have strong opportunities to co-author impactful research that can launch their academic careers.
Campus choice at INSEAD is guided by faculty location and research interests, with fully integrated opportunities across both the Europe (France) and Asia (Singapore) campuses. Exposure to both regions is key to the INSEAD research experience.
In the first two years, students often spend time on the campus opposite their main base. During the dissertation phase, flexibility increases, allowing extended stays based on faculty collaboration or personal interests. Students can also access INSEAD’s Abu Dhabi campus when it supports their research.