TFTS Doctoral Career Development Scholarship

Firmly located in Wales, with an established international profile across its constituent disciplines, the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies (TFTS) provides a vibrant research environment for postgraduate study.  We are rightfully very proud of our performance in the 2008 RAE. To have 30% of our research rated as world-leading (4*) and a further 30% as internationally excellent (3*) places us firmly at the top table of UK Universities in our subject area. By one of the most widely respected ranking methodologies, Research Fortnight’s ‘Power’ league table, we rank 3rd in the UK.

We are delighted to be in a position to offer a TFTS Doctoral Career Development Scholarship (DCDS) for entry in September 2012. The award will be made to an outstanding applicant whose research closely matches our areas of research strength in any of our disciplines: drama and theatre studies, performance studies, scenographic studies and theatre design, film studies, television studies and media and communication studies, through the medium of English or Welsh. This studentship competition is open to both overseas and UK/EU applicants and is designed to cover three years full-time fees (at the UK/EU rate) and maintenance of approximately £13,590 per annum and a £500 travel and conference fund (full value up to £18,022 p.a.).

The Department’s established reputation for conducting leading-edge, international quality research makes TFTS an ideal place to pursue doctoral study. We offer supervision and research training in both English and Welsh, in the broad areas of history, politics, place and aesthetics with a focus on topics such as: landscape, environment and site-specific performance; Welsh and minority-language theatre, film, television and online media; aesthetics, politics and social engagement; national and trans-national processes of production and contexts of reception; broadcasting structures, histories and regulatory policies; alternative and experimental theatre and film; and television drama. PhD research may be practice-led or through written thesis and may be in English or Welsh.

Applications should include a statement of the intended topic of research, indicating the research question(s), the intellectual contexts framing the questions (with a bibliography of key references), and an outline of the methods of research.  Applicants should also explain why they believe this topic is of interest and importance.  Typically, this statement will be between 1,000-1,500 words.   For guidelines on proposal format see our 'How to apply' section.

Applicants will also be considered for Aberystwyth University’s Doctoral Career Development Scholarship (DCDS) scheme. The scheme offers a package of research, training and career development for full-time PhD students. All DCDS awards are tailored to enable students to develop the necessary skills required to meet their career choices and offer a breadth of development opportunities to enhance their research, teaching and transferable skills. Student within the scheme will make an agreed contribution (eg teaching, editorial work, research assistant, professional placements) to the Department and University as a condition of the PhD scholarship. Further details at  http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/funding-fees/research-funding-eu/funding/research-competition/

For further particulars and guidance on preparing an application, please contact: Ms Ceris Medhurst-Jones, Departmental Research Administrator, 01970 621517, ekj@aber.ac.uk

To discuss your application informally, please contact: Dr Heike Roms, Director of Postgraduate Studies, 01970 621911, hhp@aber.ac.uk

Application Forms and Guidelines are available at http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/

Closing date – 1 March 2012*

(*Applicants should contact us as soon as possible for advice and guidance on preparing a strong application)