PhD Studentship in Irish Studies

Description

The Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool is pleased to invite applications for a PhD studentship in the areas of Literature, History and Politics. The studentships are offered in conjunction with, and can be co-supervised by, staff at other Departments at the University of Liverpool. The studentships are available on any topic, however staff have identified several areas of research that they would encourage applications from:

• Open Applications: Proposals are welcome on any aspect of Irish Studies that align with the research specialisms of the Institute of Irish Studies. Applicants are advised to submit their proposals on any topic within the areas aligned to staff research expertise. We welcome other topics related to the research activities of the Institute. In particular, in areas of literature, politics and history. Comparative studies are encouraged and also those related to gender, sexuality and identity politics.
• 20th and 21st Century Theatre and Performance: Proposals are welcome on any aspect of Irish performance from 1939 onwards including, but not limited to, theatre. The project might focus on: a venue; a set of authors and/or practitioners; the history of a particular aspect of playwriting, stagecraft, or performance; or theatre and performance in a socio-political context.
• Devolution and Northern Ireland: Proposals are welcome for any doctoral thesis topic related to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Northern Ireland Executive, consociational power-sharing, or parliamentary studies with a focus on Northern Ireland.
• Ireland and the Wider World in the Early Middle Ages: Proposals are welcome for any doctoral thesis topic dealing with the history of Ireland and its links (cultural, political, social, religious or economic) with neighbouring countries up to 1200 CE.
• The Politics of Diversity and/or Minorities: The growth in ethnic diversity in Ireland /Northern Ireland has lacked research and interpretation. Moreover, sexual minorities and people with disabilities are also under-examined. A thesis may wish to focus on the politics, activism or representation of minority groups or examine their position within society that could include racism, structural impediments and voicelessness.
• Former British Soldiers and the Troubles: It is estimated that around 200,000 members of the British armed forces served in Northern Ireland. A thesis that examines the role played, attitudes to legacy, impact of service would achieve much in providing recognition of the position and role on combatants within an emerging post-conflict environment.
• Social Media of Conflict/Constitutional Change: The emergence of social media has led to proxy conflict and the outplaying of sectarian and hostile discourse. It has positioned conflicts over legacy, constitutional change and the setting of aggressive binary arguments. A thesis could explain these identity formations, their presentation and impact.
  
  

How to apply:

Applications are open to students eligible for home fees who will start their Irish Studies PhD in 2022. Applications from International students are welcome, but the total amount offered by the studentship is £15,000 per year, for 3 years.

Applicants should email a CV, qualification transcripts, 1500-word research proposal, and 500-word description of previous research training/experience and envisaged training needs by 30 September 2022 to: Niall.Carson@liverpool.ac.uk

Applications to the PhD programme should ideally be submitted a fortnight before the studentship deadline (by 16 September 2022).

Applicants may also be eligible for the Owen Templeman Prize in Celtic Studies, depending on their proposed area of study.

For queries related to Irish Studies PhD applications and/or studentships please contact Dr Niall Carson, Departmental Lead for Postgraduate Studies: Niall.Carson@liverpool.ac.uk

Please note the project supervisor will be dependent on application topic. For expertise within the Institute of Irish Studies and Department of Politics, see our research pages at www.liverpool.ac.uk/irish-studies/staff/ and www.liverpool.ac.uk/politics/staff/ respectively.