PhD Study : Ill-disciplinary Studies in Everyday Life

Summary

Everyday life throws up problems that require concepts and methods that borrow from, and cut across, different disciplines. Whether we refer to this as inter-disciplinary, multi-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary, or as is increasingly fashionable, anti-disciplinary research, the research problem is the same: the problem is the things thrown up at us in an experience of the quotidian and how we respond to them. Given that there still very much exists a rigid, even defensive, Balkanization of knowledge in the contemporary academy and in public culture more broadly, and given that the disciplinary boundaries of knowledge are still very carefully policed in this context, a key difficulty remains with any research that aims and claims to move between and across disciplines with any degree of novelty.

The difficulty is fundamentally anthropological, by which we mean a question of how we can even begin to understand a gesture to otherness as anything other than as otherness ‘for us’. Put simply, researchers feel most comfortable gesturing toward others with whom they share strong family resemblances. This is why so much of what passes for exotic disciplinary promiscuity is actually often not much more than the narcissism of minor familial differences. Put all to simply, perhaps, but much of what we refer to as inter/multi/trans/anti-disciplinary work tends, in the end, to be reductively cross-disciplinary in that it interpretively over-codes the other discipline(s) from its own initially assumed privileged position.

What we mean by 'ill-disciplinary studies in everyday life' is precisely a challenge to the Balkanization of knowledge and a resistance to viewing particular everyday problems from within the confines of a particular disciplinary perspective. So, we are interested in PhD project proposals which aim to address everyday problems in a way that actively disrespects the certitude and comfort of inherited disciplinary norms. Without being necessarily prescriptive, such projects could address issues such as: climate change, wealth, poverty and inequality, the digital or computational transformation of space and place, the triumph of emotion in political discourse, the emergence of forms of algorithmic governance and law-making, the harvesting of ‘big data’ to inform social policy, the bio-cultural politics of mental health.

We are particularly interested in projects that cut across Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines (broadly construed), as-well as connecting with those relevant others outside the academy such as artists, creatives, policy/political professionals, social activists, NGOs, interest groups, decision makers, key influencers. We are also very keen to encourage speculative PhD projects that risk engaging other disciplines outside Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines such as computing and engineering, the physical sciences and life and health sciences to negotiate everyday problems from within a novel ill-disciplined perspective.

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
• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology
• 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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%

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