PhD Study : Human Rights

Apply and key information  

Summary

The Law unit of assessment has up to four studentships this year. The unit of assessment includes the work of the School of Law and the Transitional Justice Institute as well as the Ulster University Law Clinic and the Legal Innovation Centre.

We welcome applications in specified thematic areas: law and social justice; human rights; international law; law and innovation; transitional justice; public law and legal theory; gender, justice and security. Examples of proposals in the area of Human Rights would include Gender and human rights; CEDAW; Domestic protection of human rights through Bills of Rights; human rights and conflict; national human rights institutions; Philosophy and history of Human Rights, including relationship of human rights to democracy and participation; postcolonial theory; Minority and vulnerable groups; Equality and socio-economic rights; International Human Rights Law; Regional human rights systems (Africa, Latin America, Europe); human rights and development

The following staff are interested in supervising in these areas:

Prof Cath Collins

Prof Brandon Hamber

Dr Thomas Hansen

Dr Venkat Iyer

Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick

Prof Grainne McKeever

Dr Khanyisela Moyo

Prof Rory O’Connell

Dr Shauna Page

Dr Anne Smith

Dr Mark Simpson

Prof Siobhán Wills

Applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors in good time to discuss draft research proposals. For general enquiries please contact the Research Director for Law Prof Rory O’Connell or one of our PhD coordinators, Prof Cath Collins, Dr Thomas Hansen. Allocation of supervisors will be made during the selection process. The supervisory team will depend on the proposal. We list a number of named supervisors on the web pages for contact purposes but please note they may or may not be included on any supervision team.

We welcome interdisciplinary research proposals and may appoint supervisors from outside the law unit of assessment.

A sound research proposal should be about 2000-3000 words. Please see our guide to putting a proposal together. It should have the following headings:

1) A tentative title

2) Research question(s) and any related hypotheses

3) Literature review/survey of existing scholarship

4) Methodology

5) Contribution of the conclusions

6) Assessment of feasibility

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.

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

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.

  • Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Work experience relevant to the proposed project
  • Experience of presentation of research findings

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

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 28 February 2022
12:00AM

Interview Date
25/26 April 2022

Preferred student start date
mid September 2022

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Khanyisela Moyo

Other supervisors