PhD Study : The Political Economy of Education in Situations of Conflict and Protracted Crisis

Summary

This studentship will be based within the UNESCO Centre at Ulster University and linked to a £2m investment to a UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund project (2020-23). This initiative is focused primarily on the intersection between SDG4 (Education) and SDG16 (Peace), but is also highly relevant to SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG5 (Gender Equality). It seeks to co-produce a contextually-situated and locally-owned knowledge base on political economy analysis (PEA) of education in conflict-affected settings. Promoting conflict sensitive education policies and practices can enhance education’s role as a driver of development (through knowledge, skills and values for livelihoods) and prevent/reduce the negative impact of violent conflict on political, economic and social development.

The Political Economy of Education Research (PEER) Network builds on our research over the last decade, including a partnership with UNICEF involving a €150m initiative across 14 conflict-affected countries funded by the Government of the Netherlands (2012-16). One significant output from work with UNICEF was the creation of the 4Rs Framework (Novelli, Lopes Cardozo, Smith, 2017). At the global level, there has been some progress over the past decade in highlighting the need for ‘conflict sensitive’ analysis of education systems, and a number of tools and approaches have been developed (e.g. DFID, GIZ, INEE, UNICEF, USAID).

At the root of these developments is the recognition of the importance of understanding the local context, identifying drivers of conflict and introducing education policies and provision to address, where possible, underlying causes (such as structural inequalities, excluded voices in decision-making and identity-based challenges for education provision). Our critique is that current approaches perpetuate funding dependencies on external agencies and undermine attempts to build in-country expertise.

Our proposed solution is the establishment of sustainable regional hubs promoting North/South and South/South expertise in conflict-affected countries, based on principles of equitable partnership, involving dialogical processes for the co-production of knowledge, skills and expertise in political economy analysis of education systems in situations of conflict and protracted crises.

Applications are invited to undertake research related to the political economy analysis of education of situations of conflict and protracted crisis with the focus for field work agreed in consultation with the PEER Network leadership team.

Applications from suitably qualified applicants from ODA countries and under represented groups are encouraged.

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