PhD Opportunity in Human Geography
06 December 2012
PhD Studentship in Human Geography
Contemporary European Diasporas in Wales
Supervisors
Dr Rhys Dafydd Jones (Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University)
Professor Rhys Jones (Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University)
The studentship is supported by the ESRC Doctoral Training Centre for Wales and will involve opportunities for engagement, networking, shared training and possible co-supervision with partners in the Human Geography Pathway at Cardiff and Swansea universities
Project and aims
This studentship examines the social and cultural aspects of European diasporas in Wales. Much diaspora research focusses on migrations between former metropolitan powers and their former colonies; little attention has been paid to the experiences of migrants from other European countries to the UK. This neglect is surprising considering facilitation of movement between one member state and another by the European Union, as well as the single market creating more opportunities and incentives for intra-European connections. Wales has been particularly neglected in studies of diaspora in the UK, despite attracting thousands of European migrants during its industrial heyday. Examining contemporary diasporas in Wales allows the examination of multiculturalism in a minority nation context, inviting exploration of some theorists’ assertions that minority nations are hostile to ethnocultural accommodation which is perceived to threaten their own cultural distinctness.
The studentship is expected to address the following research questions:
- How do particular diasporic communities express their own cultural heritage in Wales?
- How do members of particular diaspora engage with ideas of Welshness?
- What sites are important in the maintenance of the 'homeland' identity and encountering Welshness?
Funding
The Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, supported by the ESRC Doctoral Training Centre for Wales (Wales DTC) invites applications to this fully-funded 3 year PhD studentship.
The studentship will commence in September 2013, will cover tuition fees, a maintenance grant of £13,590 per annum for three years, as well as an additional Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £750 for full-time students.
Eligibility
Applications are invited from exceptional candidates with a first class, or upper second class, honours degree or appropriate master’s degree.
ESRC studentships are available from the Wales DTC for UK and EU students who meet residency requirements set out by the ESRC. Please consult the ESRC Funding Guide for full details on residential eligibility requirements.
How to apply
Application closing date: 5pm, Thursday 31st January 2013.
Applicants must complete and submit the following documentation by the deadline:
A completed application form for admission to a PhD in Geography at Aberystwyth University http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/apply-offline/;
A two-page supporting statement explaining why the project appeals to them and how they would choose to develop it;
Two academic references.
How Applications will be assessed
Application forms will be assessed by the relevant academic staff in the Department, following which short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. We expect interviews to take place in late February or early March 2013. Successful applicants can expect to hear by April. All decisions will be ratified by the Wales-DTC, and its judgments are final.
Further details about this opportunity are available from Dr Rhys Dafydd Jones (rhj@aber.ac.uk).
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