Prospective PhD Students
The Kano Lab welcomes preliminary enquiries from prospective doctoral students when their research interests and the available supervisory environment are a strong match.
Shiga University participates in the Joint Graduate School in Science of School Education, for which Hyogo University of Teacher Education is the coordinating university. It is a three-year doctoral programme consisting of the latter stage of doctoral study. Eligibility, application procedures, selection and degree requirements are determined by the graduate school’s formal regulations and current admissions guidelines—not by the lab.
An enquiry, interview or discussion of a proposal does not guarantee supervisory acceptance, eligibility, admission, a scholarship or completion of a degree.
We particularly welcome proposals concerning:
A proposal should connect with the lab’s work while presenting the applicant’s own original question, participants or materials, theoretical perspective and methods.
Relevant backgrounds include education, science communication, science and technology studies, environmental studies, cultural studies, gender studies, disability studies, sociology, psychology, design, information studies, AI ethics, language, materials, agriculture and public policy.
Applicants do not need to come from the same discipline. They do need to be willing to learn across disciplines and engage carefully with collaborators and participants.
For an initial enquiry, use the shared Contact page, select “Doctoral study,” and provide a concise account of your research interest, intended start and current affiliation. After a preliminary review of fit, you may be asked to submit the following materials through the method specified by the lab. Where possible, combine them in a single PDF and include your name and intended admission year in the file name.
A finished admissions proposal is not required for the first contact. A general self-introduction alone, however, is not sufficient; briefly state the central question and how it connects with the Kano Lab in the shared Contact form.
Read the official graduate-school information and current admissions guidelines. Confirm degree requirements, eligibility, documents, selection, language and deadlines. Degrees obtained overseas may require an eligibility review.
Use the shared Contact page and select “Doctoral study.” After reviewing your research interest and timing, the lab will explain how to provide any further materials. Contact approximately six to twelve months before the intended entrance exam. Eligibility checks and proposal development take time.
We discuss the research question, literature, methods, feasibility, ethics, language, funding and career goals. Further reading, information or revision may be requested.
A good thematic match is not sufficient by itself. We must also confirm supervisory capacity, co-supervision, access to data or field sites and the research environment. Expertise outside the lab may be needed.
Formal application must follow the graduate school’s instructions and submission route. An email to the lab is not an application.
Selection is conducted by the graduate school. Following admission, preparations may include enrolment, immigration, housing, insurance, funding and research-ethics review.
Depending on the programme and project, support may include:
The exact arrangements depend on programme status, topic, funding and active collaborations.
The language needed for research, classes and degree assessment is determined by formal requirements and the individual project. This page does not promise that every doctorate can be completed entirely in English or that Japanese will never be required.
Research involving Japanese schools, communities or policy documents may require Japanese-language ability or a credible translation and collaboration plan. Applicants seeking international publication must also plan for the languages needed to engage ethically with participants.
A discussion about supervision is separate from a scholarship application. Plan for tuition, living costs, travel, fieldwork and conferences. Scholarship eligibility changes according to nationality, residence status, year and programme.
The lab cannot guarantee a scholarship, stipend or paid position.
Check the current admissions guidelines. Applicants with an overseas degree or a different degree structure should request an eligibility assessment early.
Yes. Expertise in science communication, culture, environment, AI, design, materials or policy may be valuable when clearly connected to educational and social questions.
It may be possible when the research question, supervision, funding, ethics, safety and degree requirements support it. Explain feasibility in the concept paper.
Programme rules, required research time, residence, seminar participation and fieldwork must all be considered. Discuss this explicitly.
A visit may be considered after an initial assessment of the topic and when timing and purpose are appropriate. An online meeting is normally the first step.
Six to twelve months before the intended entrance exam is recommended. A strong proposal cannot normally be developed immediately before an institutional deadline.
