As part of the activities of the Design Research Observatory, the Italian Society of Design (SID) and the Italian University Conference of Design (CUID) have jointly initiated a mapping of doctoral courses in design at the national level. The initiative arises from the need to develop a shared reflection on the evolution of the doctorate in design, recognizing the profound transformations that have affected the third level of education in recent years.

The mapping aims to analyze both the scientific and managerial dimensions of doctoral programs, including the new organizational and collaborative forms that have characterized recent developments. Coordinators of doctoral programs in design at the national level have been invited to participate in this survey through a dedicated questionnaire.
The results of the mapping will be presented at a national conference to be held on March 16-17, 2026, at Sapienza University of Rome, representing an important opportunity for discussion on the various national experiences and future prospects of the doctorate and scientific research in design.