PhD Study : Reclaiming the moral argument on abortion - examining the role of liberal faith communities in addressing abortion stigma

Summary

ASPS research themes - Power, social rights and justice

Fundamental to addressing inequality in society is addressing the power imbalance between genders and access to social rights and justice. Women’s position in conservative societies has been dominated historically by traditional norms of motherhood and home-making, resulting in severe curtailment of women’s ability to achieve equality. These traditional norms are typically perpetuated by conservative faith organisations, which in turn exert a distinct and substantial influence over cultural values, policymaking and the distribution of power (Bloomer and O’Dowd, 2014; Stopler, 2008). Abortion is thus presented as the antithesis to traditional norms of motherhood and home-making.

The consequent associated negative cultural impact of challenging these norms contributes to abortion stigma (Bloomer et al., 2018). Abortion stigma is experienced by both women accessing services and by service providers. For women who have had abortions, stigma contributes to isolation and shame; for abortion providers, abortion stigma results in problematizing working environments and in decreasing numbers of medical staff willing to offer abortion services (Bloomer et al., 2018). To date, the positioning of liberal faith perspectives on abortion in conservative societies has been unexplored.

The research will critically examine the socially constructed discourse on faith positions on abortion, and explore to what extent liberal faith communities in conservative societies can reclaim the morality authority on abortion, and assert that denying access to abortion is immoral. This reclaiming of moral arguments and its contribution to challenging abortion stigma will be examined.

The inter-disciplinary framework of reproductive justice will be applied to the study.  Specifically, the historic reproductive injustices and systemic inequalities in gender power relations will be examined from faith perspectives and analysis conducted as to this relates to challenges to achievement of contemporary socio-economic justice as a political strategy to advance women’s rights and wellbeing.

The study is expected to comprise a highly innovative mixed methods design. Such an approach may include the incorporation of thematic textual analysis of documents produced by faith organisations (including policy papers, research reports, training manuals, information leaflets), semi-structured interviews with key informants, and online asynchronous focus groups. Participants are expected to include those of faith who are members of faith institutions and those who do not belong to particular faith institutions.

The project invites proposals that employ a comparative approach that includes different jurisdictions. Possible cases include South Africa, the Phillipines, the USA, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, where a wide range on faith actors will be explored, including faith based civil society organisations, theological institutions and churches.

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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.

• Research proposal of 2000 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.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

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