This research study seeks to better understand the process of leadership as a multi-level phenomenon by which public leaders draw meaning and purpose because of a strong alignment with the place they live and work (Jackson and Parry, 2018). In Northern Ireland, a post conflict society, which involves multiple actors and institutions, there is growing recognition of the need for collective leadership responsibility to bring about positive social and economic change. In this way, the proposition of this study echoes the words of Warren Bennis in 1997, who reviewed the history of business, government, the arts, the sciences, to find the problems organisations face are often too complex to be solved by any one person or any one discipline. By extending the emerging theory of plural leadership (Ospina et al. 2020), we adopt the term ‘leadership constellation’ (Empson, 2017) to describe the collective agency between public leaders across sectors and institutions - an under researched area in the literature (Hartley, 2018).
The overall aim of the study is to explore the building of a new public leadership constellation in a post conflict society through the lens of leadership responsibility. Specifically, the objectives are to understand:
1. How place, i.e., a post conflict society, influences the building of a new leadership constellation and relationship dynamics between public leaders;
2. How leadership interactions across different sectors and institutions impact upon leadership responsibility at internal (individual leader mindset) and external (relationship dynamics) levels.
The research approach of this study is defined as ‘Mode 2 research’ (Gibbons et al. 1994; Hartley, 2018) – where the idea emerged from the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building1 Fellowship programme developed for 24 cross-sectoral leaders spanning political, civic and business society spheres. Adopting a case study research design, data collection will include observation and interview reporting on the process and impact of the learning undertaken by Fellows during the programme. The evidence will inform the development of a new model of public leadership constellation and responsibility.
The external advisory role of Professor Mike Hardy from the University of Coventry, will bring research insight in the area of leadership and relationship building in post conflict societies across the world.
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.
We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.
The University offers the following levels of support:
Full award (full-time PhD fees + DfE level of maintenance grant + RTSG for 3 years).
This scholarship will cover full-time PhD tuition fees and provide the recipient with £18,000 (tbc) maintenance grant per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Part award (full-time PhD fees + 50% DfE level of maintenance grant + RTSG for 3 years).
This scholarship will cover full-time PhD tuition fees and provide the recipient with £8,000 maintenance grant per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance). This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Fees only award (PhD fees + RTSG for 3 years).
This scholarship will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance). This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £18,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living
Submission deadline
Monday 28 February 2022
12:00AM
Interview Date
mid March 2022
Preferred student start date
mid September 2022
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Email
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