LJMU-VC PhD Scholarship Application 2021

It is with great pleasure that we announce the 7th Annual LJMU-VC PhD Scholarship competition. This has been a highly successful programme and has supported excellent PhD students in all 5 Faculties of LJMU. Despite on-going challenges in the sector generally, it is vital that research continues as we “Bounce Forward”. Recruitment of the highly quality PhD students is an important part of our development of research activity supporting the University Strategic Plan. The Vice-Chancellor and the University Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee have endorsed the 2021/22 version of the programme and we invite applications from exceptional students with high quality project plans to apply from across the University. LJMU will offer up to 30 fully funded PhD scholarships open to UK students from any discipline.

Uniquely, of these scholarships LJMU will ring-fence up to five fully-funded PhD studentships for talented UK applicants who identify as Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic*. The studentships are part of a wider set of measures being implemented across LJMU to increase the representation of UK Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic PhD students at the University. This targeted award is a positive action measure under s.158 of the Equality Act 2010. We welcome proposals from all disciplines.

LJMU promotes a ‘Respect Always’ culture and has a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment. The university has a thriving Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Student Group and all Schools have active equality, diversity and inclusion groups that work to create and promote an inclusive environment for students and staff from diverse backgrounds. Beginning to decolonise curricula and research practices and preparing a Race Equality Charter submission are both examples of the university’s commitment towards building a truly inclusive community.

*The phrase “Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic” is broadly used across the Higher Education sector to refer to people who identify as Black, Asian, Mixed and Other ethnicity categories. This is broken down as: Black/Black British: Caribbean, African or Other Black background; Asian/Asian British: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Other Asian background; Other: Arab, Mixed - White & Black, Caribbean Mixed - White & Black African, Mixed - White & Asian, Other Mixed background. LJMU currently uses the phrase Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, as this reflects the way we collect, and store staff and student data and it aligns with our reporting obligations. However, we are aware that this phrase is considered by many to be problematic and we are reviewing our use of language around race and ethnicity.

In addition, we ask ALL applications to include the following in their forms (i) a “Lay Summary”, of up to 250 words to communicate the broad rationale, aims, objectives and planned outcomes for a non-specialised audience, (ii) a statement of link between the proposed project and either; the relevant Faculty Research Strategy; the University Strategic Plan; and/or the University’s “Bounce Forward” strategy.

Applications must be submitted by the proposed Lead Supervisor on behalf of a named PhD candidate. The Scholarships must commence at the start of the Winter Term 2022 (February Doctoral Academy Enrolment Window) and so all prospective candidates must have the necessary qualifications to commence their studies at that date. The Scholarships are for 3 years and must be for full-time study. Stipend for all Scholarships will be at the standard LJMU rates, which are yet to be confirmed for the next academic year. In addition, all course fees are covered and there is a consumables budget of £1500 per annum available. Given the February 2022 enrolment we will only review applications from UK citizens or those meeting the residential criteria to be charged UK fees.

Submit your application via email to E.J.Walker@ljmu.ac.uk by 5.00pm on 20th September 2021.

Applications (including this form, cover letter, CV, HR declaration form) to the 2021 Scholarship scheme should be submitted by the supervisor via email to E.J.Walker@ljmu.ac.uk by 5.00pm on 20th September 2021. No further applications will be considered once the 5 pm deadline has passed.