PhD Opportunities in English, History and Performance

Applications are invited for Graduate Teaching Assistant PhD scholarships in Humanities, commencing 1^st October 2022.

About the PhD programme

The Humanities Research Centre (HRC) at Sheffield Hallam University was founded in 1996. It promotes ground-breaking international research, applied knowledge and creative practice across the disciplines of English, History and Performance. Our research informs and illuminates vital interdisciplinary and subject-specific issues including: race, inequality and rights; gender and sexuality; globalism and transnational exchanges; and environmental humanities. We are both rooted in the Sheffield City Region and engaged globally.

PhD applications are invited on any topic related to our research specialisms in:

English

• English literature from the early modern period to the present day
• English language, including topics within the broad areas of language and social structure, and stylistics
• Creative writing across all forms and genres

History from the 18^th century onwards

• Transnational histories and imperial encounters
• War, violence and society
• Labour and social movements
• Women, gender and sexuality
• Race and ethnicity
• Business and finance

Performance

• Applied and socially engaged theatre/performance
• Theatre / performance history, historiography and heritage
• Theatre / performance and environment, site, body and/or gender

We have an active community of research students who form a key part of the HRC's vibrant research culture. In joining our community of scholars, you will have the opportunity to attend and contribute to a range of seminars, workshops and conferences, including SHU's innovative interdisciplinary postgraduate research conferences on the topics of research METHOD and research IMPACT. We provide flexible training and development opportunities covering a range of research and career-related skills.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

GTA scholarships provide an excellent opportunity to combine PhD study with professional development to gain practical experience in learning, teaching and assessment in Higher Education. You will be able to work towards Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and as part of your training will be expected to support teaching related activities in the Department of Humanities, up to a maximum of 180 hours per academic year. For more information please visit Sheffield Hallam University PhD scholarships

Funding

Scholarships are available for 3.5 years (full-time) or 6 years (part-time) and include:

• University tuition fees at Home rate of £4590 (full-time study) or £2295 (part-time study).  International students are required to self-fund the difference between Home and International fees - for 2022/23, EU/International fees are £14,895 per year (Full-time).
• An annual tax-free maintenance bursary at UKRI minimum rate: £16062 per annum for 2022-23 full-time study or £8031 per annum for part-time study. The stipend is paid to you on a monthly basis.

For more information visit: Tuition fees for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals

How to apply

We strongly recommend that you contact a prospective supervisor to discuss your research ideas before submitting an application. Potential supervisors can be found through the staff lists on the department and research centre websites linked above or by contacting the Postgraduate Research Tutor for advice. You will need to submit a clear, detailed research proposal with your application outlining the central questions you want to address, the current knowledge on this topic and context for the enquiry (referencing key background literature) and outline the proposed research methods. 

Where English is not your first language you will need to submit evidence of English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent).  

Sheffield Hallam welcomes applications from all candidates irrespective of age, pregnancy and maternity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.

For academic enquiries or advice please contact:

• Prof. Niels P. Petersson, Postgraduate Research Tutor for Humanities n.p.petersson@shu.ac.uk
• For more information about how to apply and an application form please visit https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/degrees/apply
• For general enquires please contact the Cultural & Creativity Research Institute Postgraduate Research Team culture-creativity-admissions@shu.ac.uk

Submit your application to culture-creativity-admissions@shu.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is 12.00 Noon on 9^th May 2022.

Selection process

Interviews take place during weeks beginning 20^th and 27^th June by videoconference, dates to be confirmed. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to deliver a 10 minute presentation on their research proposal followed by an interview.