About the Project
Applications are invited for a PhD Scholarship funded by Renfrewshire Enterprise to examine the economic Impact of culture and heritage in Paisley. The research will focus on analysing the multiplier and positive spill over effects on the local economy of Paisley from the town’s substantial cultural and heritage legacy. Candidates should be familiar with cost-benefit analysis and the tools of project appraisal as applied within an urban context. Candidates with a first degree and/or Master’s degree with a significant component of economics are encouraged to apply. Some knowledge of statistical or econometric software packages such as SPSS, E-Views, or STATA will be an advantage though further training in these will be provided.
The PhD researcher will spend some of their time with Renfrewshire Council Economic and Regeneration Unit.
Project and Aims and Objectives
• To explore the economic contribution made by the creative and cultural industries in the area
• To examine the contribution of the volunteer strategy to the citizens and the town and indirect benefits to business.
• To examine the social impact of the creative and cultural industries on the town
Funding Notes
We are looking for enthusiastic and outstanding candidates with a degree relevant to this project, an excellent attitude to collaborative research, attention to detail, ability to withstand a fast learning curve, good communication skills and most importantly, creative enthusiasm. The scholarship is available to students from the UK and EU. The studentship offers an annual stipend of £14,553 per annum for three years and payment of the tuition fees.
References
The Centre for Culture, Sport and Events (CCSE) – based at UWS Paisley campus – has been established in partnership with Renfrewshire Council. CCSE will provide a space to undertake collaborative research and development work that has relevance for the Renfrewshire area, nationally and internationally. The Centre has been set up to conduct research, development and consultancy aligned to four key themes: place focused culture-led regeneration; arts, cultural diplomacy, and soft power; sport, cultural events and festivals; and, media, communication and digital cultures.
The place focused culture-led regeneration and the media, communication and digital cultures themes seek to support work which aligns with needs identified through the recent Paisley 2021 City of Culture bid and, subsequently, Renfrewshire Council’s ongoing step change work. The step change plan aims to maximise the legacy of Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture, 2021 and is focused on driving forward the creative, cultural, heritage and digital offer of Paisley and the wider Renfrewshire region. In turn, this will contribute to localised growth and development, tackling poverty and inequality, generating community cohesion and wellbeing.
Currently, CCSE is recruiting for 3 fully funded PhD studentships. Successful candidates will investigate topic-areas identified as being of particular research and development interest to Renfrewshire Council and, which contribute to the Council’s ongoing step change work. The available stipends are intended to support students to research and write a thesis over a 3-year period. Successful candidates will be based at the University’s Paisley Campus and may be embedded for up to 0.4 FTE of their time in the Renfrewshire Council department, or the Health Board, which corresponds to their research topic, if this is deemed appropriate.
To apply for a studentship, applicants should send a two-page proposal for the theme that they are interested.
Interviews will be held in early December 2018 and the studentship will start in February 2019.