PhD Study : ​Realising the commercial benefits of research-based architectural practice.

Summary

​Evidence has shown that research-based architectural practice has the potential to draw down commercial and reputational benefits for practice. This PhD opportunity offers practitioners the opportunity to explore the drivers, benefits and challenges of incorporating research as part of their daily practice. Key questions include what does research-based practice look like from a business perspective and how can research enhance the architects creative practice and pedagogy as well as the reputational benefits for them, their clients, end-users and employees.

This opportunity places a new emphasis for architects on evolving aspects of competence, communication and expertise that impact on the quality and performance of the built environment as well as the health and well-being of those who use the buildings and spaces they create. Challenges for the practitioner may be that not every concept-making practice constitutes “research,” thus a significant need remains for the development of workable common language of definitions of research standards and systems.

The work will also offer opportunities to bridge government policy for the creative sector, through alignment with academia and live design projects. ​Practitioners will also require a command of professional ethics and research integrity, as well as an understanding of distinct boundary setting between professional services and research investigations.

• Potential applicants should be practicing architects or architectural technician/assistant with practice-based experience from Part 2 upwards
• Evidence of architectural portfolio - a range of drawing, multi-media and/or digital outputs

Essential criteria

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.

• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology
• Evidence of academic writing skills (a short sample of academic written work of the applicant's choosing (Max 3 pages, A4, font 11)) – please upload in the section entitled Research Proposal

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Masters at 65%
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) 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.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (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.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• 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.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living