Ph.D. Studentship Opportunity in Corpus Linguistics and Safeguarding Studies

Applications are invited for a full-time three-year Ph.D. with fees paid for three years and a two-year studentship at Lancaster University starting on 1^st October 2024. The successful candidate will join the new multidisciplinary Centre for Corpus Linguistic Approaches to Safeguarding Studies (CLASS), funded by an ESRC Large Grant ESY002709/1, and will work alongside researchers involved in theoretical and practical work in various aspects of the family justice system.

Funding providers: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Lancaster University.

Subject areas: Law, linguistics, social policy, social care, computer science and cognate disciplines.

Project start date: 1^st October 2024 (Enrolment from mid-September).

Lead Supervisor: Professor Lauren Devine

Project description:

We are inviting proposals furthering the emerging field of corpus linguistics and legal studies applied to the family justice system (broadly conceived). The use of corpus linguistics in this field is at an early stage, offering potential for new avenues of research.

We are particularly interested in projects that seek to develop methodological innovation, create new corpora, develop analysis frameworks, and/or apply analytical theories. The proposed project must align with the aim of CLASS; to improve fair outcomes in the family justice system.

Existing projects include the use of expert evidence and risk prediction in the family justice system, online safety, mapping and classifying global safeguarding models, and improving access to family justice.  Proposed projects can either align to these strategic themes or propose a new area of related study.

Overall, the proposed project should contribute to law and policy development, and corpus linguistics in legal studies.

Eligibility: Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2:1 or above, and an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘merit’. Evidence of publishable standard project work is desirable.  If you are eligible to apply for the studentship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparative entry requirements. Please note you may have to provide evidence of your English language proficiency.

Additional Funding Information: Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only. This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees for three years and an annual stipend for the first two years at the current UKRI rate.

To apply for the studentship: Please provide a proposal setting out your research ideas, your CV, two academic references, and a sample of recent research writing (between 3,000 to 6,000 words). The sample can be an essay produced during masters-level studies or a section of a dissertation and must be sole-authored work. Please quote reference ESRC/CLASS/ESY0027091 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy. Questions about this vacancy should be directed to Professor Lauren Devine (l.devine@lancaster.ac.uk).

Please note that any offer of funding is conditional on securing a place as a PhD student at Lancaster University.

Applications for admission to Lancaster’s doctoral programme must be made directly to Lancaster via Applying for postgraduate study - Lancaster University , clearly marked with the project title, reference ESRC/CLASS/ESY0027091, for the attention of Professor Lauren Devine.

The closing date for applications is midnight (BST) on Wednesday 31^st July 2024.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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