Al-Qasimi PhD Studentship in Arab and Islamic Studies, Middle East Politics, Ethno-Political Studies, Kurdish Studies or Palestine Studies

Call for Applications

Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter, UK

Duration: 3-year studentship

Application Deadline: April 8, 2024

The Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies is currently seeking applications for two PhD studentships for outstanding doctoral candidates whose area of expertise aligns with the research interests of the academics at the institute. They are specifically looking for proposals in humanities and social sciences related to the Middle East and the Islamic world, including disciplines such as Anthropology, Archaeology, Gender Studies, History, Islamic Studies, International Relations, Literature, Political Science, and other relevant fields.

The Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS) at Exeter is recognized as a leading center for research in Middle East, Arab, and Islamic Studies in the UK. Established in 1999 to strengthen research in the Greater Middle East region, Muslim-majority countries, and Islam. The institute has achieved outstanding results in REF2021 compared to other Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies departments in the UK.

Candidates from the Global South are particularly encouraged to apply for these studentships.

Exeter provides exceptional support for PhD students including a collaborative supervision approach from experts across disciplines, access to a doctoral college for all program needs, a digital humanities lab, research and career development opportunities within the Faculty and University, dedicated study spaces for postgraduates in humanities and social sciences fields, etc.

Awards will be given based on academic excellence, research potential, proposal quality, fit with research environment and supervision team. Applications will be evaluated based on the university’s commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity in postgraduate research.

The studentship will cover full tuition fees and provide an annual maintenance grant of £18,622 (2023/24 rate) for up to 3 years (36 months), contingent on satisfactory progress. Additional funds will be provided to assist with visa fees and health surcharge costs incurred at the start of the funded research program. Successful applicants will initially cover these costs themselves with top-up funding provided upon registration with the University.

Applicants should have at a minimum a good first degree (at least 2.1, or international equivalent) in a relevant field of the humanities or social sciences, and have obtained, or are currently working towards a Master’s degree at Merit level, or international equivalent, in a relevant discipline. Evidence of relevant professional expertise can also be taken into consideration.

• Applicants would be expected to start their studies in September 2024.
• Recipients are expected to commit to engagement beyond their doctoral studies through contributing to the research environment of their discipline and the faculty by participating in research activities, accessing skills development training and opportunities and career development etc. Continued funding would be dependent on satisfactory evidence of this engagement having taken place.

Please note that these studentships are only open to applicants who will start their study in September 2024, not those who have already started.

Applications will only be supported for campus-based programs as this studentship is not open to Distance-Learning programs.

To apply, please submit requested documents and references by 8 April 2024.

More information on: University of Exeter