There are many different research topics that are common in Electrical Engineering PhD programs. Some of the most popular research areas in Electrical Engineering include: 

• Control systems and robotics: This research area focuses on the design and implementation of control systems for robotics and automation. 

• Power systems and energy: This research area focuses on the development of new technologies for generating, transmitting, and storing electrical power. 
• Signal processing and communications: This research area focuses on the analysis, processing, and transmission of signals, including audio, video, and data. 
• Microelectronics and nanotechnology: This research area focuses on the design and fabrication of micro- and nano-scale electronic devices and systems. 
• Electromagnetics and optics: This research area focuses on the behaviour and manipulation of electromagnetic waves, including applications in optics, wireless communications, and sensing. 
• Biomedical engineering: This research area focuses on the application of electrical and electronics engineering principles to solve problems in medicine and healthcare.