Προκήρυξη:

The Alice Brown Scholarship  is a new 6-year PhD scholarship offering a programme of advanced study, ongoing research, professional training and development. In combination with their research methods training, subject specific training, and doctoral studies successful candidates will also work with supervisors, the Student Development Office, and the  Alice Brown Scholarship Programme Coordinator to participate in a comprehensive ongoing programme of professional development.

There will be a particular emphasis on digital skills, including the opportunity to develop expertise in online design and content creation and blended learning. Successful candidates will also work with the Graduate School and relevant research clusters/centres to gain professional academic skills, and hands-on experience of knowledge exchange and public engagement activities with communities, policy makers, and other stakeholders.

We would expect successful candidates, within their programme of training, to contribute to the School’s strategic aims. This could be through participating in digital skills development, contributing to efforts to widen participation and access to higher education for students from non-traditional backgrounds or other development activities.

In combination with their time commitment on studies, training, and participation, scholarship holders will be expected to take up paid work opportunities in teaching and research assistance, to gain experience and consolidate their training.

Applications are welcome for PhD projects in the following broad areas:

• African Studies
• International Development
• International Relations
• Politics
• Science, Technology and Innovation Studies
• Social Anthropology
• Social Policy
• Social Work
• Sociology
• South Asian Studies
• Sustainable Development

Prospective candidates are encouraged to explore the range of expertise and research and teaching strengths across the School.

Entry Requirements and Eligibility

A first class honours degree (or equivalent) in a subject relevant to the studentship OR a taught MSc degree at distinction level in a subject relevant to the studentship. Conditional offers can be made to applicants currently enrolled on a degree programme on the basis of anticipated results.

As comprehensive research training is integrated in the programme of this PhD, there will be no automatic preference given to those holding MSc qualifications covering research training. Applications are encouraged from those nearing the end of an undergraduate degree in a subject relevant to the scholarship.

Due to constraints on part-time study for international students on visas, this award is only open to nationals of the UK, countries of the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.

Is this PhD for me?

The 6-year programme of combined PhD study and development activity will require a high level of personal commitment and engagement, in addition to the potential to undertake cutting-edge research in the social and political sciences. While the skills gained during the programme will have wide applicability, the studentship is especially intended for those who envisage an academic career, and have a passion for advanced teaching and learning. The aim is to support scholarship holders not only towards the attainment of a PhD qualification, but to equip them by the end of their programme of study with the skills and knowledge required to be competitive in the 21st century academic labour market.

Application process

Applicants are invited to submit a current CV, a short research proposal/idea (max. 1000 words) and a personal statement of up to 500 words explaining their suitability for the  scholarship in the field to which they are applying. Applications should be emailed to pgresearch.sps@ed.ac.uk with Alice Brown Scholarship Application, the applicant’s surname and the area for which they are applying (African Studies, International Development etc.) in the email subject line.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by the 2nd April 2018 and asked to initiate a full PhD application prior to being interviewed for the scholarship in the week beginning 16th April Interviews may be conducted in person or by distance.

Fees and Funding

The scholarship covers full payment of PhD tuition fees and provides an annual stipend of £10,000 each year.

All PhD students in the School of Social and Political Science can apply to the PhD Research Support Fund for help with fieldwork and other research-related costs throughout their period of study.

Deadline for receipt of applications: 15 March 2018