Dear All,

This is an exciting PhD studentship opportunity at Brunel University London. Please distribute widely:

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/ANS979/phd-studentship-in-media-communications/

Ph.D. Studentship in Media/Communications
AHRC Project: Creative Interruptions: grassroots creativity, State structures and disconnection as a space for 'radical openness'
Full time, fixed term for 3 years
UK students, EU students

Value of award
Funding covers 100% full-time tuition fees at the Home/EU rate and a stipend at the research council rate for 3 years.

Applications are invited for a full-time Ph.D. studentship on media, race and cultural production. The studentship forms part of ‘Creative Interruptions’, a three year international project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) ‘Connected Communities’ programme that will commence in October 2016. The studentship will be funded by Brunel University London, where you will be supervised by Professor Sarita Malik (Principal Investigator - PI).

The doctoral thesis will be based on an analysis of the history of anti-racist creative practice, including film, television, live performance, and digital media, that has emerged from within the UK’s South Asian, African and Caribbean Diasporas since the 1970s and up to the present day. The student will write a full PhD dissertation on their independent research.

What you will be doing:
It is envisaged that this Ph.D. will undertake theoretical and empirical collaborative research with a variety of community collaborators to (a) engage in historical archival and interpretative analysis of anti-racist media practice; (b) conduct qualitative research through a series of interviews with creative practitioners and communities in the UK; and (c) research the cultural, social and political impact of traditional and digital media on anti-racist movements in the UK.

The range of methods is likely to include discourse and thematic analysis, media archival research and primary qualitative research involving diasporic creative practitioners and political actors involved in grassroots, anti-racist creative acts. This will be academically framed by a broader sociological interpretation of the creative work that foregrounds the significance of cultural and historical representation and the contribution of the media to anti-racist social movements.

What you will get from this project:
This is an opportunity for an exceptional candidate to undertake advanced academic training in research leading to a PhD, while working on a large, inter-disciplinary collaborative project exploring how disenfranchised communities have used cultural production to challenge inequality and oppression. A primary benefit of the role is the opportunity to work with a range of community partners and research organisations in the development of the research. This provides you with opportunities to gain valuable experience and contacts by working with creative practitioners, archivists and diverse cultural organisations and communities. The successful candidate will contribute to synergy project meetings; acquiring soft-skills in project management, presentation and negotiation between academics and community organisations. He/she will have membership of the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences with dedicated space, resources and facilities.

Candidate requirements:
The successful candidate should hold a first class or upper second-class honours in a related discipline e.g. sociology or media/communications studies. A Masters level qualification is desirable, as is experience in collaborative working with diverse communities. Knowledge of the history of UK race relations and the arts/creative sector is an advantage. In addition, he/she should be highly motivated, able to work in a team and have good written and verbal communication skills.

Please note that any offer will be subject to a successful application to our PhD degree programme. If you are offered a place you will need to complete an online application via the following website, meeting the University academic entry requirements and being offered a place on the course  http://www.brunel.ac.uk/bbs/research/phd-programme/how-to-apply

Informal enquiries should be directed to Sarita Malik by email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

If you wish to apply, please email the following to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
by 07 June, 2016.

• An up to date full CV;
• A single page (A4), single spaced covering letter which includes a personal statement setting out why you are interested in undertaking this project and any other supporting information;
• Names and contact details for 2 referees;
• A copy of your highest degree certificate and transcript.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.

Closing date for applications:  07 June, 2016
Date for Interviews: week commencing 20th or 27th June 2016
Start Date: 01st October 2016