Cardiff School of Law and Politics at Cardiff University supported by the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership for Wales (Wales DTP), invites applications for a PhD collaborative studentships. They will commence in October 2022. The following collaborative studentship is available: Exploring legal need in north Wales: the impact of the development of a law centre in addressing the gaps in access to justice
Aims:
The Commission on Justice in Wales (2019) found: ‘The significant cuts to legal aid made in 2012 have hit Wales hard. Proper access to justice is not available with the consequent threat to the Rule of Law.’ This has resulted in advice deserts where people struggle to receive legal advice and there is a serious risk to the sustainability of the legal sector. North Wales was identified at risk. In response, a steering group of local legal representatives and advice providers are setting up the first law centre in north Wales to provide free at the point of access legal services to address these problems. The rationale of the project is to map legal need before any law centre opens. It will consider how people deal with their legal problems, whether they get help, where they go and how they relate to the justice system. It will follow individuals through the process, as well as considering the legacy contact with the justice system has. If the law centre is approved, the project will then document and understand its impact – most importantly on its delivery of services to those individuals who are most vulnerable and those in hard to reach places, especially rural areas. If the law centre does not go ahead, the project will work with steering group partners in the local community to understand the ongoing effects from a lack of such services.
Eligibility:
ESRC studentships are highly competitive, candidates should have an excellent academic background in the social sciences, holding a 1st or strong upper 2nd class degree; applications from those also holding a relevant research training Masters degree (or an equivalent background in research training) will be considered. We welcome applications for both full and part-time study.
Application Deadline: 12:00pm GMT Friday 04 February 2022
Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview, which are expected to take place in late February/early March 2022. After interview, a final short-list of applicants will be put forward to a panel at which final decisions with regard to studentship awards will be made. Successful applicants can expect to hear by early April 2022.
How to apply:
The online application link is https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/law
Please ensure you apply for the October 2022 start date and put the ESRC 1+3 scholarship in the funding box.
Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
The application must contain the following documents:
1. Covering letter: Please address to Dr Daniel Newman. The covering letter must set out your reasons and motivation for applying to study at Cardiff University, and the Empirical Studies in Law pathway; your understanding, and expectations of doctoral study; and your academic interests generally, and particularly of those relating to your proposed research. It should be no more than two pages. Please also specify which pathway you will be applying to and 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: Two academic references must be submitted. Candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application.
4. Curriculum Vitae: It should be no longer than two pages.
5. Research Proposal: the proposal should build directly on the outline description that has been supplied. 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:
· Your reflections on the title, aims and purpose of the research;
· An overview of some key research literature relevant to the study;
· Your proposals for developing the design and methods of the study;
· A description of potential outcomes of the project for understanding, knowledge, policy and practice (as appropriate to the topic);
· Bibliographic references.