Political economy studies in the Global South

Project Description

We are recruiting a PhD student to conduct research on political economy in the Global South. We define political economy quite broadly, to encompass topics such as state capacity, governance effectiveness, the influence of international organisations and NGOs, economic policymaking, the relationship between state and economic actors, inequality, economic-driven migration, informality, corruption and clientelism, and the legacy of colonialism. 

We welcome research students conducting comparative cross-regional or cross-national research, as well as students focusing on particular countries. Experience of work/research in lower- or middle-income countries and knowledge of relevant foreign languages are beneficial, as is experience with quantitative research methods.

 We are particularly interested in the following research areas:

• Measurement of difficult-to-observe phenomena, such as informality or corruption
• Public attitudes towards economic policies and outcomes
• The interactions between and effects of NGOs and international organisations on citizens and the state
• Economic/political/social inequalities and their links with different development outcomes
• Comparative studies of institutions/governance mechanisms and their effectiveness in lower- and middle-income countries

 Qualifications and Eligibility

The successful applicant must hold a relevant Masters-level qualification or expect to have completed their studies before the starting date. The qualification must be in a relevant social science discipline (e.g., International Relations, Political Science, Economics, Development Studies).

Funding

The School of Law and Social Sciences Scholarship offers a home fee award and stipend of £16,000 p.a. for 3.5 years for full-time students (or half of that amount per year for 7 years for part-time students). Successful candidates from Overseas will be required to cover the difference between the Home and Overseas fees, and EU students might be eligible for a fee reduction scholarship: Tuition fees (royalholloway.ac.uk) Students can start in September 2023.

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit a letter of interest, a CV, a degree transcript, and a short research proposal (2 pages max).

These materials will need to be submitted directly to Dr Ivica Petrikova at [Email Address Removed] and Dr Cassilde Schwartz at [Email Address Removed].