[Commlist] Fully funded PhD at Coventry University

Navigating the post-Brexit public sphere: Communication, inclusion and 
trust in Northern Ireland
Eligibility: UK/EU/International graduates with the required entry 
requirements
Funding details: Bursary plus tuition fees (UK/EU/International)
Duration: Full-time – between three and three and a half years fixed term
Application deadline: 14th February 2020
Interview dates: Week commencing 9th March 2020
Start date: September 2020
For queries contact: (charis.rice /at/ coventry.ac.uk) 
________________________________________
Project
The Brexit referendum pushed debates about political communication, 
populist discourses, and notions of trust and inclusion centre stage in 
British politics. For stakeholders of Northern Ireland, a post-conflict 
but deeply divided society that voted to ‘remain’, the nature of the 
post-Brexit public sphere should be of central concern. Brexit brings 
longstanding issues of ethno-national tensions, borders and division 
back into sharp relief, with all of the accompanying issues of 
cross-community distrust, fears of exclusion and feelings of vulnerability.
This project is interested in the, as yet, relatively unexplored role of 
communication in such issues in Northern Ireland. It will investigate 
how a range of social and political actors use information from various 
sources to envisage the post-Brexit public sphere in relation to 
perceptions of trust and inclusion. It will consider how communication 
shapes the opportunity structures and behaviour of social and political 
actors as they navigate Brexit uncertainty. The project will utilise 
appropriate methods and conceptual frameworks to gather empirical data 
and address these issues of current academic, social and political 
importance. It will provide new academic knowledge on how Brexit is 
understood, imagined and enacted by different individuals and 
stakeholder groups. Through this, it will generate recommendations for 
relevant policymakers and practitioners at a time of profound change.
Funding
Full studentship which includes tuition fees and living expenses for a 
doctoral candidate over 3.5 years.
Stipend rates set by UKRI with an annual projected average increase of 
1.25% per year.
CTPSR Research development allowance of £1,000 per annum.
Benefits
Training and development
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training 
including technical, personal and professional skills.
All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part 
of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and 
Development, which provides support with high-quality training and 
career development activities.
The successful candidate will also benefit from participation in the 
Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations’ Doctoral Training Course, 
involvement in the Centre’s Communities, Identities and Politics 
research group and involvement in Centre research seminars. The 
successful candidate will benefit from mentoring by and collaboration 
from experienced researchers in the fields of communication, trust, 
social movements and identity, including Dr Charis Rice, Prof Ann-Marie 
Nienaber and Dr Joel Busher.
Entry requirements
•	A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area 
with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a 
minimum 60% overall module average
•	A Masters’ degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional 
experience is desirable
PLUS
•	The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD 
within a 3.5 years
•	A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score 
of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)
Additionally
•	Some knowledge and/or research experience within the field of 
communication studies (e.g. political/government communication; public 
communication; strategic communication/public relations; dialogue or 
discourse study)
•	Familiarity with the Northern Ireland societal and political context
•	An interest in the use of qualitative social research methods
•	A commitment to collaborative study
How to apply
To find out more about the project please contact 
(charis.rice /at/ coventry.ac.uk) All applications require full supporting 
documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement 
showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the 
project. Apply via the following link:
https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-opportunities/research-students/research-studentships/navigating-the-post-brexit-public-sphere-communication-inclusion-and-trust-in-northern-ireland/






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