Architectural Expertise: Interdisciplinarity, Professional Judgement and Public Opinion in the Built Environment (1+3 Studentship)

Applications are being sought for a prestigious, full-time ESRC Doctoral Training Centre for Wales (Wales DTC) PhD Studentship to be based in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University, to begin in October 2016.

Architecture is quintessentially an interdisciplinary practice drawing on engineering, social science, humanities and the arts. Architects design structures that meet human needs whilst also embodying particular understandings of those same needs. The complexity of modern buildings means that architects must work with experts from a range of specialisms whilst remaining attentive to audiences that include both their peers and the wider society. This creates demands that go beyond simple interdisciplinarity.

The project will explore the nature of architects’ work and that of similar professions that have to reconcile the demands public opinion with technical expertise. In the Cardiff School of Social Science Professors Harry Collins and Robert Evans have applied the concepts of contributory and interactional expertise to the problem of interdisciplinarity and to the relationship between experts and the public. The successful applicant will work closely with Collins and Evans and the School of Architecture. The key research questions focus on the extent to which existing theories can capture the diversity of architectural practices and how far this practice can be enhanced by explicit reflection on the nature of the expertise involved. We anticipate that the project will have implications for interdisciplinary working more generally.

About the School:
We take an interdisciplinary approach to the Social Sciences to create a dynamic and engaged teaching and research environment. The School of Social Sciences is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and teaching across a range of subject areas including sociology, policy studies, criminology, education and social work.

The School currently has over 220 academic staff, and around 1000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. We have a strong commitment to developing programmes of study that benefit from the research expertise and achievements of staff in the School.

We are home to a number of world-leading research centres, and these engage across a range of research themes. Our students have the opportunity to work with and learn from world class scholars, alongside students from across the world. The School has a thriving postgraduate research community, with both PhD and Professional Doctorate programmes. We also offer a number of courses for professional development.

The School collaborates with major universities and scholars from around the world, as well as enjoying excellent links with local businesses, public and third sector organisations, policy makers and practitioners.

About the University:
Cardiff University is acknowledged as one of Britain’s leading teaching and research universities, held in high esteem both nationally and internationally. Its world-leading research was ranked 5th amongst UK universities in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework for quality and 2nd for impact.

Cardiff University is also the home of the ESRC funded Wales DTC, part of a national network of 21 accredited Doctoral Training Centres across the UK judged by the ESRC to deliver truly excellent postgraduate training provision.