Fully funded PhD Studentships on the Politics of Sustainable Prosperity/Grassroots Environmental Politics
Keele University, United Kingdom
School of Politics, Philosophy, International Relations and Environment (SPIRE)
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Number of studentships: Funding for up to two PhD Projects (at European/UK Students rate - overseas applicants may apply but will have to pay the difference between overseas and UK/EU rate)
Mode of Study: Full Time
Application Deadline: 31 July 2016
Studentship Start: 3rd October 2016
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Keele University is pleased to invite applications from outstanding candidates for two PhD studentships as part of its commitment to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP). CUSP aims to explore alternative visions of a sustainable future where individuals and communities have the capabilities needed to flourish while living within the ecological and resource constraints of a finite planet.
Applicants are invited to submit proposals on any of the following themes:
• _The political economy of the limits to growth
• _Democratic theory related to environmentalism
• _Grassroots activism and environmental movements, directed towards prefigurative projects
• _Local/regional/national environmental governance
Applicants are welcome to identify other themes which are relevant to Keele’s projects within CUSP (http://www.cusp.ac.uk/themes/p/ - P1 and P4 projects). It is recommended that applicants liaise with a Keele CUSP member (Dr Marit Böker, Dr Philip Catney or Professor Brian Doherty).
Funding and Eligibility
The bursaries are offered on a full-time basis to EU/UK and overseas applicants and cover a maintenance award and fee payments (at the UK/EU rate, currently £14,296 and £4,121 respectively). The Scholarships are for three years, subject to satisfactory progress. The level of the maintenance element of the Scholarships is linked to the level of corresponding awards made by UK research councils and is subject to regular review. The studentship bursaries are free of both tax and national insurance contributions. International applicants will be required to cover the difference between the UK/EU and International Student fee.
These studentships will be awarded as Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs). In addition to work on the doctoral research project, successful applicants will be expected to contribute to associated activities within their respective Schools, including a limited amount of teaching, for which training will be provided. They will also contribute to some research administration and candidates take part in some of CUSP events. The teaching and research administration combined will be limited to a maximum of six hours per week.
CUSP aims to explore the concept of sustainable prosperity and to understand people’s aspirations for living sustainably. A guiding vision for sustainable prosperity is one in which people everywhere have the capability to flourish as human beings - within the ecological and resource constraints of a finite planet. Research will explore not just the economic aspects of this challenge, but also its social, political and philosophical dimensions. The Centre is led by Professor Tim Jackson at University of Surrey, in collaboration with Middlesex, Goldsmiths, Oxford, Leeds, Anglia Ruskin, Keele, and Canterbury (NZ) Universities. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has funded the centre for five years and Middlesex University researchers will explore the alternative business and investment models needed to underpin resilience, sustainability and competitiveness.
About Keele University
The School of Politics, Philosophy, International Relations and Environment (SPIRE) is one of the leading centres for the study of environmental politics in the UK. Within the School, the Centre for Research on Environmental Action and Thought (CREATe) is an active research unit which has secured numerous grants over the past few years, including research on environmental activist groups, energy conservation in local communities, environmental multi-level governance, and urban regeneration. For more information see: http://www.keele.ac.uk/spire/
Entry Requirements & How to Apply
Applicants must have a minimum of a first or an upper second class honours degree or equivalent, and preferably a good Masters degree, in a relevant area.
If your first language is not English, you should have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component).
Applicants must submit the following documents to apply:
• _Fully completed online Application form (please go to http://www.keele.ac.uk/humssr/prospectivestudents/politicsandinternatio…
and select the Apply for a PhD button on the right hand side of the page)
• _A full research proposal for your PhD (maximum 4 sides of A4)
• _A sample of academic work (maximum 5,000 words)
• _Two academic references
• _Academic Documentation (including transcripts and certificates)
• _Coloured copy of Passport
• _Proof of English Language (if your first language is not English)
• _A completed ‘Case for Support’ form, available here: http://www.keele.ac.uk/media/keeleuniversity/humsfacultyresearch/Casefo…
Please liaise with Helen Farrell if you require advice on the application process: socialsciences.phd@keele.ac.uk; tel. +44 (0)1782 733641.