ESRC Wales DTP General studentships

Cardiff University’s School of Modern Languages and Department of Politics/ International Relations, supported by the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership for Wales, invites applications for PhD study, with the possibility of being awarded a fully-funded ESRC DTP Studentship, available to start in October 2020. We expect to make doctoral studentship awards in the field of Global Language Based Area Studies (GLAS).

We welcome applications on topics which require knowledge of, or a readiness to undertake study of, a modern foreign language, notably French, Spanish, German, Italian, Catalan, Portuguese, Chinese or Japanese. Other languages may also be available via the University’s Language for All programme or via hard language training.

Language-based area studies draws upon foreign language skills to explore the society, politics or culture of a particular country or region. Students may do research on the politics, society and culture of Europe and its member states; African and development studies; China, new media and the cultural industries; nationalism; contemporary European history; modern foreign language-learning in Wales; migration studies; gender studies; international relations; governance, comparative politics, industrial relations or even some aspects of translation studies.

Applications are invited from exceptional candidates. We value diversity and equality and welcome applications for full and part-time study: studentships are available as either ‘1+3’ (i.e. a one year Masters followed by three years of full-time Doctoral study, or the part-time equivalent), or ‘+3’ (i.e. three years of full-time doctoral study or its part-time equivalent).

Applications welcomed by 3 February 2020 (1200 hours).

Further details

These studentships are ‘open’ awards. Applicants should consider approaching a potential supervisor before submitting their application to confirm that there is appropriate supervisory capacity and to discuss their application. Information on staff research interests can be found on the MLANG and/ or Politics/IR webpages. A descriptions of the GLAS pathway is available on the ESRC Wales DTP website. The pathway convener Professor Gordon Cumming may be able to advise you.

WHAT THE STUDENTSHIP WILL COVER

Studentship Awards cover tuition fees as well as a maintenance grant (currently £15,009 p.a. for 2019/20 for full-time students); and include access to an additional Research Training Support Grant (RTSG), though an element of this latter fund may be ‘pooled’ and require separate applications from 2020 onwards. Other opportunities available to studentship holders include an overseas fieldwork allowance (if applicable), internships, overseas institutional visits and small grants.

ELIGIBILITY

ESRC studentships are highly competitive: candidates should hold a 1st or strong upper 2nd class degree in a relevant field; applications from those also holding a relevant research training Master’s (or an equivalent background in research training) will be considered for a +3 award. Full awards (fees plus maintenance stipend) are open to UK Nationals and EU students who can satisfy UK residency requirements.

ASSESSMENT

The deadline for applications is 12.00 noon on Monday 3 February 2020. Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview in early March 2020.

HOW TO APPLY

A completed application form for admission submitted to languages-pg-admissions@cf.ac.uk. Incomplete Applications or late applications will not be accepted.

The application must contain the following documents:

1. Covering letter addressed to Professor Gordon Cumming. Set out your reasons and motivation for applying to study at Cardiff University, and the GLAS pathway; your understanding, and expectations of doctoral study; and your academic interests generally, and particularly of those relating to your proposed research. The covering letter should be no more than two pages. Specify whether you wish to apply on a +3 or 1+3 basis.
2. Academic / Professional Qualifications: Where appropriate, this should also include proof of English Language Competency (7.0 IELTS minimum).
3. References: All applications require two academic references to be submitted in support. Candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application.
4. Curriculum Vitae (no longer than two pages).
5. Research Proposal: The proposal should be up to a maximum of 1000 words, not including bibliographic references. We suggest that you use the following five headings in your research proposal:
   • Title, aims and purpose of the research;
   • Brief overview of the academic literature relevant to your field;
   • Proposed design/methods;
   • Academic contributions of your research.
   • Bibliographic References