English Literature research at Worcester is aligned with the University's Research and Knowledge Exchange strategy, which emphasises themes such as identity and inclusion, and the interpretation of culture and heritage. Accordingly, projects with an ethical, inclusive, and/or environmental focus are prioritised. With this PhD studentship, the University aims to further consolidate the work of the Green Voices Research Group. Applications are invited to address one of the following briefs.
Ecologies of Genre
Environmental consciousness is not only to be found in the external contexts of literature, but also embedded and articulated in textual practice. Literary research at Worcester includes notable strength in textual criticism and in the theories of form and genre, which can stimulate a productive dialogue with environmental concerns. Research proposals are invited which address the intersection of ecocriticism and the study of literary forms and genres, including: modern Gothic; historical fiction; fragmentation and open field poetics; the poetry of landscape, place, and space; early modern drama and poetry; and contemporary creative practice, such as spoken word and performance poetry, hypermedia, and creative non-fiction. Critical projects with a creative practice element will also be welcome.
Narratives of environmental injustice
Research proposals are invited on the representation of environmental injustice in British and/or Irish literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. While critical attention to environmental injustice has been prevalent in American literatures, the theme has not been as widely explored in relation British and Irish contexts. There is the potential for highly significant new work on a range of related themes, including urban poverty, anti-pastoral and counter-pastoral, famine literature, industrial fiction, the slum, and other material ecologies. Research proposals on historical themes such as migration and diasporic writing, health and ability, in relation to environmentalism would also be welcome.
Entry requirements:
Applicants should have completed a Master's programme (either taught or research-based) by the time of enrolment onto the PhD studentship. Applicants are expected to have excellent communication skills, and reasonable computer literacy. They should be passionate about their subject, highly motivated to undertake doctoral research, and have confident time-management and team-working skills. Applicants must submit a research proposal which demonstrates: (i) relevance to one of the given briefs, and (ii) clear potential to make an original and significant contribution to knowledge.
We require an IELTS score of 7 (with at least a 7 in writing) or equivalent from applicants whose first language is not English.
Details of the studentship:
During the period of your studentship you will receive the following:
• a tax free bursary of £15,009 for a period of 3 years
• a fee-waiver for 4 years
• a budget to support your project costs for the first 3 years of the project
• a laptop
• use of the Research Student Study Space in Research School
How to apply:
Please read the full advert and further details about how to apply for the is opportunity at http://www.worcester.ac.uk/studentships. Please direct queries to Prof. Michael Bradshaw: m.bradshaw@worc.ac.uk.
Continue with Facebook
