An interesting PhD opportunity has emerged out of some nascent cross-disciplinary partnerships being developed at Birkbeck around the theme of ‘sustainability’, understood in a very broad sense. That is, not just the ‘green’ meaning of sustainability associated with biological systems or ecological environments, but a much wider range of systems and environments (from societal health and wellbeing to computational networks to democratic political cultures) which are growing in complexity and interdependence. The full call for proposals is below. While I am happy to discuss any PhD proposals, enquiries about the funding more generally should be sent to Tim Markham (see below) in the first instance.

Note that there is a quick turnaround on this – applications (both for an MPhil/PhD place at Birkbeck as well as for the funding) must be submitted by 20 April 2015.

Technologies of Sustainability – PhD Scholarship

The Department of Film, Media and Cultural Studies in conjunction with the Centre for Sustainable Working Life at Birkbeck, University of London invites applications for a doctoral scholarship on the theme of Technologies of Sustainability, broadly defined.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

* Smart cities and sustainability
* Resilience, suffering and conflict
* Social media cultures
* Health and well-being communication
* Media cultures of risk and resilience

We encourage applications from a broad range of academic backgrounds, and are receptive to proposals for practice-based research.

We are particularly interested in receiving proposals that relate to one or more of the following themes:

* Technology studies
* Media and cultural studies
* Organisational psychology
* Health communication
* Public policy
* Conflict research
* Critical studies

The deadline for applications is 20th April, and any enquiries should be directed to Dr Tim Markham (t.markham@bbk.ac.uk), director of graduate studies in FMACS.

Eligibility

The scholarship is open to Home/EU and International students who are applying for a full-time MPhil/PhD place within the School of Arts, starting in the 2015/16 academic year. Applications from Home/EU students for part-time study will also be considered (at an appropriate pro rata rate and extended duration).

Please note that in order to apply for funding you must also complete an MPhil/PhD programme application within the School of Arts. Your programme application must be submitted either before (strongly encouraged) or at the same time as applying for funding.

Funding

The scholarship award will include a full fee waiver capped at the value of the full-time Home/EU rate for MPhil/PhD degrees (currently £3,996), in addition to an annual stipend set at Research Council rates (currently £15,863; pro rata in the case of a part-time award)

Duration of Awards

Scholarships will be tenable for up to three years (subject to satisfactory academic progress) for full-time students, and at an appropriate pro rata rate and extended duration for part-time students.

How to Apply

Please consult the general guidance on applying for an MPhil/PhD place. You can find a School of Arts Guide for Applicants here: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/arts/research/research-bursaries-studentships-funding/SoA_Research_Students_Guide_for_Applicants_1516.pdf. Departmental online pages are full of information about staff and the research environment at Birkbeck that will help you develop your application. All prospective students are strongly advised to first make informal contact with a potential supervisor, and you are also welcome to contact the director of postgraduate studies (listed in the guide) in your chosen programme/department for advice.

Once you have applied for an MPhil/PhD place, please download the Technologies of Sustainability Application Form here: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/arts/research/research-bursaries-studentships-funding/Technologies_of_Sustainability_Funding_Application_Form_15_16_April.doc. The completed form should be returned to SoAFA@bbk.ac.uk by 20th April 2015.