Equality Law and inclusion or peacebuilding through art

Summary

Two collaborative PhD opportunities are available in the Law Unit for 2027 entry.

The first, in collaboration with the Committee on the Administration of Justice, will examine how the law should and could be reformed to support equality and inclusion in Northern Ireland. This is in the context that Northern Ireland has experienced serious challenges including racial violence, violence against women, and structural discrimination affecting women and minorities.

Progress on updating Northern Ireland’s equality laws and policies  to address these challenges has been uneven and delayed.

The project will entail (1) creating an evidence base to support legal reform to better respect equality and inclusion in Northern Ireland in selected areas and  (2) examining comparative legal developments  on the selected areas in other relevant jurisdictions.

Within these parameters, the applicant is invited to propose sociolegal, policy-oriented, and/or comparative law project on a selected area of concern (gender, race, etc).

The second project, in collaboration with Conflict Textiles, will engage with the world’s most extensive collection of conflict-related textile artworks. This initially consisted of arpilleras – appliqué artworks originating in Chile during the Pinochet regime (1973-90) and produced by women in clandestine workshops to document social conditions and human rights abuses, provide emotional support, protest and generate income.

Today, the collection includes textiles from around the world addressing conflict, peacebuilding and human rights issues as well as new themes including climate change and violence against women.

Ulster University hosts a digital repository at www.conflicttextiles.com and has a research and education partnership with Conflict Textiles.

This PhD is a unique opportunity to explore the role of art in peacebuilding, gendered violence, alternative ways of addressing legacy questions, and the use of different mediums and digital technologies in peacebuilding. We also welcome expressions of interest on additional themes.

For applicants proposing a project on the theme of ‘Peacebuilding through Art’, competence in Spanish would be beneficial.

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.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Research proposal of no more than 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

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.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Track record of peer reviewed publications

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD scholarships are available for this project to all applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile, and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

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, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.