Justice, Morality, and the State in Amazonia

The Department of Anthropology at LSE has a new PhD scholarship to participate in an ERC-funded research project on justice in Amazonia. The scholarship is 4 years full time, covering UK/EU fees (or an equivalent contribution towards fees for international students), and a living allowance of £18,000 each year. The start date is October 2017.

Deadline for application: 17 March 2017

This project entitled “Justice, Morality, and the State in Amazonia” offers an exciting opportunity for an outstanding graduate to join a major anthropological research project, funded by the European Research Council, as part of the conventional track for a PhD in Social Anthropology at LSE. The project will investigate the social, cultural and cognitive bases of justice, or the morally correct assignment of goods and evils, with a focus on the indigenous peoples of Western Amazonia. Read more about the project here: http://www.lse.ac.uk/study/meetLSE/adverts/AnthropologyPhDScholarship2017.aspx

We are seeking prospective candidates with an existing interest in fields such as Amazonian anthropology, morality and ethics, childhood, cooperation, law, or social justice. While the precise topic of research may be adjusted to the interests and expertise of the successful candidate, he or she will be especially encouraged to contribute to the broader research agenda through a focus on children’s moral learning, especially the ways in which children are primed to engage in the interpretation and expression of inner experience.

Applicants are encouraged to contribute their own provisional research ideas in the form of a proposal as part of their application. Projects will have ethnographic fieldwork at their core, but may also draw on other methodologies, including video and visual media work, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, or experimental designs. The research will involve approximately 12-18 months of fieldwork.

Requirements:
The successful candidate should hold a good degree in Anthropology, and meet the normal admissions requirements for the MRes/PhD programme. See here for more details: http://www.lse.ac.uk/anthropology/degree_programmes/phd.aspx

Application:
Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact the Principal Investigator Dr Harry Walker at [Email Address Removed] for further information about the project in advance of submitting applications.

Applications should be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office – see here for more information: http://www.lse.ac.uk/study/graduate/enquirer/howToApply/home.aspx

Additional departmental guidance on the research statement can be found here: http://www.lse.ac.uk/study/graduate/pdfs/guide_for_PhD_applicants.pdf

Short-listed candidates will be interviewed in person at LSE or remotely via Skype in April 2017 and results will be notified shortly thereafter. The successful candidate will be expected to start in September 2017.