PhD Study : Promoting ‘Community’ Building through Restorative Practices and Transformational Justice

Summary

The case for expanding the use of restorative justice approaches in our communities, schools and state institutions is a powerful one, both within settled societies and for those transitioning from conflict. Advocates have frequently labelled it as a paradigm shift away from the underlying relationship of power and domination imposed by criminal justice responses to crime, to one that strengthens and rebuilds social relationships, while maximising the role of victims and communities in responding to crime and conflict (Walgrave, 2008).

The transformative potential of restorative justice interventions can also reverberate far beyond the physical confines of a conference or circle due to their ability to facilitate dialogue and heal relationships. In Ireland, North and South, the development and use of restorative justice practices for adults is currently experiencing an exciting new momentum underpinned by the clear objective of bringing about a restorative society.

The hosting of an ambitious Restorative Justice Knowledge Exchange Event at Ulster University in April 2019 (Hobson & Payne, 2019) has coincided with a planned Department of Justice Adult Restorative Justice Strategy in the North, and the Restorative Justice: Strategies for Change, Collective Strategy for Ireland, 2019-2023 in the South (RJSFC, 2019), and has signalled a willingness to embrace the ground-breaking Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)8 of the Committee of Ministers to member States concerning restorative justice in criminal matters.

At the heart of these proposals is the need to reduce the gap between citizens, the police and the wider criminal justice system, and was central to the public consultation from the NI Department of Justice in June 2020 (DOJ, 2020) that included proposals for a Centre of Restorative Excellence that builds on the experiences of partnerships between community-based restorative justice schemes and the police and other state agencies.

The research project would therefore invite proposals which explore critically the application of novel approaches to restorative justice underpinned by transformational policing and justice practices. Applications which offer an inter-disciplinary approach and can either specifically look at the Island of Ireland or offer a comparative analysis of various countries’ approaches are also 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.

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