PhD Study : Role of speciality rural markets in food/gourmet tourism experience: the case of Northern Ireland

Summary

This project focuses around two key aspects, food tourism and the development of food-related networks.  With regard to the first aspect, food tourism has emerged as an integral niche form of tourism (Boyd, 2016a).  It has emerged over the years from being a small aspect of both rural and urban tourism, but with people’s interest growing of travel that is food-related, it has evolved into a niche form of tourism.  Food tourism has been subdivided into a number of sub types to include, culinary, cuisine and gourmet tourism (Hall and Sharples, 2008); one moves up the scale on the basis that the importance of a special interest in food as a travel motivation shifts from being a subsidiary interest to that of primary interest.  With regard to the latter, gourmet tourism in a rural setting involves primary motive travel to food events, festivals and markets.  There is also a dimension of ‘slow food’ to some of this product development and offer (Boyd, 2016b).

This project proposes to examine the role that food/gourmet tourism can play in the development of rural tourism product development for Northern Ireland.  At present tourism product development is focused around events, and key attractions that are either associated with urban and coastal spaces.  The opportunities within a rural context have received less attention and research is merited.

The second aspect is that of food-related network product development.  Networks and their formation are well established aspects within tourism academe.  Networks have been noted for their importance of knowledge transfer, building collaborative affiliation, for partnership and creating interdependence within broader systems (Scott, Baggio, and Cooper, 2008; Baggio and Cooper, 2010).  Understanding networks involves awareness of all entities involved in their makeup. Central to any network are the individual businesses or in this context small and medium-sized tourism enterprises.  According to Henry and McElwee (2014), there is little difference between a rural and non-rural enterprise in terms of structure.  Nor is there a specific category, for, nor definition of, a rural entrepreneur.  Where difference is noted is in terms of the types of rural tourism enterprises that exist.  Saxena (2016) argues these are either exogenous or endogenous; the former are external to the community in which they occur, have reliance on markets that are extra-local.  Examples include festivals, food events, and farmers and food speciality markets.  In contrast, the latter are internal to community in which they are showcased, rely on local ingenuity of entrepreneurs and are most often associated with creative pursuits such as arts and crafts.  Rural ‘speciality’ markets (food and craft combined) allows for both types of rural tourism enterprise to work effectively together to showcase rural products and services.

As such, this project further seeks to study the make-up of speciality rural markets across Northern Ireland as the vehicle against which to promote rural foods/gourmet tourism.  It also examines these markets as a key element toward forming wider food and speciality networks to showcase Northern Ireland’s rural products to visitors.

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.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%

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