PhD Studentship: National Marine Park/University of Plymouth Collaborative Doctoral Award, ‘What does the sea mean to me?’

DoS: Professor Daniel Maudlin (daniel.maudlin@plymouth.ac.uk)

2^nd Supervisor: Dr Zoe Latham (zoe.latham@plymouth.ac.uk)

Adviser: Elaine Hayes (CEO) National Marine Park 

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship.

The studentship will start on 1 October 2024.

Project Description

What does the sea mean to the people of Plymouth? What are the connections people have with the sea? What are the cultural barriers that prevent people connecting with the sea? In partnership with the National Marine Park, this Collaborative Doctoral Award crosses Heritage, Architecture and Cultural Geography to explore the value of place in a port city. Understanding Plymouth Sound in terms of human interactions with the marine environment, the CDA will draw on place attachment theory, to examine the ‘heritage value’ of the sea to the people of Plymouth. Embedded with the NMP, the CDA will take a place-based research methodology to work with community groups across the city including older adults, younger adults, intergenerational families and new arrivals, gathering the memories, stories and meanings people attach to the city and the sea. Making connections to place creates a sense of belonging, a sense of ownership that can build confidence and improve health and wellbeing. Listening to different, diverse voices will enable the NMP to make those connections by telling better, more meaningful stories. The CDA will include a CPD project working with the NMP to develop its interpretation strategy based on community voices.  

Eligibility

You are required to have a good honours degree (1st Class or an Upper 2:1) and likely a Masters degree in a relevant subject (completed with Distinction or a High Merit), and a strong wish to pursue a PhD with an original research project.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.

The award is supported for 3 years and includes full Home tuition fees, a bench fee of up to £1500 plus a stipend of £18,110 per annum (2023/24 rate) Applications are open for applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications.  Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates approximately £12,697 per annum 2023/24 rate (2024/25 rate TBC).

NB: The studentship is supported for three years of the four-year registration period. The fourth year is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ year.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Professor Daniel Maudlin, daniel.maudlin@plymouth.ac.uk.

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button above.

Please clearly state the name of the studentship title that you are applying for on the top of your personal statement.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our How to Apply for a Research Degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College.

The closing date for applications on 14 June 2024.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly after the deadline.

We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. 

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