to earn a doctorate / to promote
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to earn a doctorate
To obtain a doctoral degree by writing an academic work (doctoral thesis/dissertation) and taking an oral examination.
Sie promoviert in Biologie über das Verhalten von Bienen.
She is earning a doctorate in biology on the behavior of bees.
To indicate the topic of the doctoral thesis, two typical constructions are used: 'promovieren in' (to earn a doctorate in) + field of study (dative) or 'promovieren über' (to earn a doctorate on/about) + topic (accusative).
Er promoviert in Physik an der Universität München.
He is earning a doctorate in physics at the University of Munich.
The verb 'promovieren' (to earn a doctorate) belongs to a word family in the academic context. The process itself is called 'die Promotion' (the doctorate/doctoral studies), and a person who is earning a doctorate is 'ein Doktorand' (a male doctoral student) or 'eine Doktorandin' (a female doctoral student).
Ihre Promotion hat insgesamt vier Jahre gedauert.
Her doctorate took four years in total.
The meaning 'fördern' (to promote/support) or 'unterstützen' (to support) is very rare in German and strongly influenced by the English 'to promote'. In everyday language and in most contexts, 'promovieren' is understood exclusively as earning a doctoral degree.
Der Verein wurde gegründet, um den Austausch zwischen den Kulturen zu promovieren.
The association was founded to promote exchange between cultures.
to support
'unterstützen' and 'promovieren' can both mean, in a rare, elevated sense, that you promote and advance something or someone. In normal German, 'unterstützen' is the clear and natural word for this. 'promovieren' usually means to earn a doctorate. The meaning 'to promote' is rare and may occur because of the English 'to promote'. So in everyday language, it is better to say 'unterstützen' when you mean help or support. 'promovieren' in this sense is only suitable, at most, in very formal or specialized texts.
Die Organisation will neue Ideen im Gesundheitsbereich promovieren.
The organization wants to promote new ideas in the healthcare sector.
Wir unterstützen das Projekt, weil es die Natur in der Stadt schützt.
We support the project because it protects nature in the city.