PhD Study : The role of funding agencies in peace processes

Summary

The International Fund for Ireland Research Studentship will be awarded to an outstanding PhD student addressing the topic of the impact of funding agencies in societies emerging from conflict.

The 1998 Belfast or Good Friday Agreement is viewed globally as a positive model for making peace, particularly in the way it guarantees nationality and identities, regardless of the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has also demonstrated that it is possible to pursue divergent political goals in a peaceful way. At the same time, it would be difficult to argue that peace has been consolidated or is guaranteed going forward. The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended for nearly two years.  The ugly truth of “Peace Walls” and some murals with their violent imagery still mark certain communities. Only 7% of children attend integrated schools twenty years on from the Agreement. Despite some improvements in residential mixing, most people reside in largely single-identity communities. Brexit has also created new challenges with growing tensions about the nature of the border.

In short, many aspects of the Northern Ireland process represent a negative peace, where political violence has decreased but the underlying issues that fuel conflict have not been addressed. At the same time, the Northern Ireland peace process has had a dramatic investment in community peace and development work.   It is estimated that €1.5 billion has been invested by the EU into community peace work. The International Fund for Ireland (IFI) has committed to date £728m / €914m, supporting over 6,000 projects across the island of Ireland.  Financial contributions have come from the US, the EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The IFI aims to promote economic and social advancement, as well as encourage contact and dialogue. From 1991-2014, the Atlantic Philanthropies invested nearly $570m in Northern Ireland, primarily for the peace process and programs to improve people's lives.

All these programmes, and others, have developed a skilled community sector who can share lessons on a range of peacebuilding methods as diverse as using art, sport, dialogue, and development. In the context of the collapsed Assembly, one argument is that the significant investment in peace work has created the conditions to maintain peace at a community level despite the political collapse. Others argue the gap between the political process and the community process means the investments made at a community level have never reached their full potential. Many unanswered questions remain about the impact of funding agencies on the Northern Ireland peace process.

The area is ripe for new and innovative research on the role of funders in peace processes, and proposals are sought in this area, including comparative projects between Northern Ireland and elsewhere. A focus on new challenges such as Brexit are also welcome.

It is anticipated that the proposal will be in the area of social and policy sciences (e.g. political sciences, psychology, anthropology, policy studies, etc.) using qualitative methods, but mixed methods approaches are also suitable depending on the proposal.

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