PhD Study : A Critical Analysis of Citizenship Education in Northern Ireland

Summary

The signing of the Northern Ireland peace agreement in 1998 and the establishment of a new, devolved Assembly had significant implications for education in terms of how children and young people might learn about the political conflict, the new political arrangements and the functioning of democracy within their society. For more than ten years the School of Education at Ulster University was centrally involved in the development of a new civic and political education programme piloted within post-primary schools.

This programme was eventually adopted by the Department of Education and curriculum authorities. By 2007, Local and Global Citizenship (LGC) was introduced as a statutory requirement for all schools at Key Stage 3 (age 12–14) and an optional GCSE examination subject at Key Stage 4 (age 15–16). LGC in an inquiry-based curriculum that explores four core sets of concepts (‘Diversity and Inclusion’; ‘Human Rights and Social Responsibilities’; ‘Equality and Social Justice’; and ‘Democracy and Active Participation’). It includes opportunities to ‘investigate how and why conflict, including prejudice, stereotyping, sectarianism and racism may arise in the community’.

The citizenship framework also includes opportunities to examine key human rights commitments and investigate ways of strengthening democratic participation as an alternative to violence. Proposals designed to investigate the current status and impact of citizenship  education are welcome, particularly the extent to which it has contributed to the ‘political literacy’ of children and young people in NI. Research designs may wish to draw on previous surveys that include relevant questions such as the Young Life and Times survey, and more international data generated by the IEA Civic and Citizenship Education Study.

References:

Arlow, M. 1999. “Citizenship Education in a Contested Society.” Development Education Journal 6 (1):14–15.

Smith, A. 2003. “Citizenship Education in Northern Ireland: Beyond National Identity?” Cambridge Journal of Education 33 (1): 15–32.

Worden, E.A. and Smith, A. (2017) “Teaching for democracy in the absence of transitional justice: The case of Northern Ireland.” Comparative Education, 53(3): 379-395.

Wesites:

Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Education and Assessment (CCEA) http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/curriculum_microsite/local_global_citizenship/index.asp

Young Life and Times http://www.ark.ac.uk/ylt/results/ IEA Civic and Citizenship Education Study http://iccs.iea.nl/home.html

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.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

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.

• For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster

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