Philosophical and Psychological Approaches to Food Values

This project investigates the philosophical and empirical approaches to food values. What can philosophers gain from attending to experimental work on food behaviour, choice and perception? What, in turn, can the psychologist learn from the philosopher?
The student—trained in both disciplines—will be in distinctive position to investigate and answer these questions and to contribute to an emerging body of interdisciplinary work (outside the domain of food) which combines philosophical methods with the methods of the cognitive sciences.

The student will investigate:

• philosophical literature on (a) the ethics and aesthetics of food, and (b) ethical and aesthetic interaction in art
• empirical work on the effects of ethical information on food choice, behaviour and perception
• the relevance of empirical research to philosophical debates (and vice versa)

The student will conduct experimental research on the basis of the results of these investigations and explore its philosophical significance. If appropriate, the student will explore relevant cross-cultural differences.

There is a large body of philosophical work addressing the role of values in food. Liao and Meskin (2018) have argued that there is an interaction between moral and aesthetic values in food, similar to that in the artistic domain. There is also a literature within experimental psychology and food science exploring the relevance of ethical information to flavour judgments and choice.

This PhD project seeks to critically examine the potential for producing transformative research on food by exploring the relation between these bodies of work. Psychology’s excellent human appetite and nutrition laboratory will be available, and its systematic research review module will help the student develop research questions.

Eligibility
You should hold a first degree equivalent to at least a UK upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject. This project would suit a student with a strong background in philosophy, psychology, cognitive science or food science.

The Faculty minimum requirements for candidates whose first language is not English are:

• British Council IELTS - score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 6.0
• TOEFL iBT - overall score of 92 with the listening and reading element no less than 21, writing element no less than 22 and the speaking element no less than 23.

How to apply
To apply for this scholarship applicants MUST first submit a research degree study application form and be in receipt of a Student ID number. Applicants without a valid Student ID number will be rejected. To apply for a study place please visit: https://studentservices.leeds.ac.uk/pls/banprod/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon

Once you are in receipt of your Student ID number please click the link below, which will take you to the online application form.
https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/centrally-funded-research-postgraduate-scholarships-2018

You must complete both a PhD research degree study application form and a separate scholarship application by the application deadline in order to be considered for this project.

Application closing date – 17:00 (UK time) 1 June 2018