Thinking the creative-critical relation in literary studies with the work of Hélène Cixous

The writing of Hélène Cixous across a range of forms and genres represents one of the most extraordinary bodies of work of recent decades. Encompassing prose, critical essays on literature, visual culture and politics, as well as theatre texts and memoir, Cixous’ work remains associated in the Anglophone world with feminist theory. We would like to work with students keen to explore the varied legacies of this work in ways that go beyond this dominant reception, particularly in creative-critical modes that reflect the range of Cixous’ own work, and encourage proposals from candidates that are able to engage with Cixous’ work in French.

This project is primarily associated with the Centre for Critical and Creative Cultures (https://criticalcreativecultures.org/about-us/) within the School of Humanities.

The successful applicant will be entered into a competition for a studentship with the Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities (SGSAH). If awarded a studentship, those who meet the UK residency requirements would receive funding for fees and a stipend at UKRI level, while applicants from EU countries may be eligible for a fees-only award. Additionally, the SGSAH offers a core training programme to support research skills development, and opportunities for international study and placements. For more information about the SGSAH studentship, please visit www.sgsah.ac.uk/prospective/dtp/.


For informal enquiries about the project, contact Professor Mark Robson ([Email Address Removed]).
For general enquiries about the University of Dundee, contact [Email Address Removed].


QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must have obtained, or expect to obtain, a first or 2.1 UK honours degree, or equivalent for degrees obtained outside the UK in a relevant discipline.

English language requirement: IELTS (Academic) score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 5.5 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s English language requirements are available online: www.dundee.ac.uk/guides/english-language-requirements.


APPLICATION PROCESS
Step 1: Email Professor Mark Robson ([Email Address Removed]) to (1) state your interest, (2) send a copy of your CV and an outline of your project proposal, and (3) discuss your potential application and any practicalities (e.g. suitable start date).

Step 2: Following discussion with Professor Robson, formal applications can be made via UCAS Postgraduate. When applying, please follow the instructions below:

Apply for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in English: https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/501eb668-da7a-a068-acc8-d0dd6017d212?academicYearId=2020.

In the ‘provider questions’ section of the application form:
- Write the project title and ‘FindAPhD.com’ in the ‘if your application is in response to an advertisement’ box;
- Write Professor Robson’s name and give brief details of your previous contact with him in the ‘previous contact with the University of Dundee’ box.

In the ‘personal statement’ section of the application form, outline your suitability for the project selected.