Inclusive humanities and social sciences PhD scholarships programme launched

Cardiff University’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences has launched a new inclusive scholarships programme to accelerate support and enhance opportunities for under-represented groups.

The scholarships programme will promote the benefit of researcher careers to more diverse communities, creating space for minority or marginalised voices and new perspectives.

Applicants have 2 options available to them:

• Apply for a pre-determined project on a defined theme/topic.
• Apply via open competition with an individual research proposal of their own.

The 10 pre-determined projects involve academics from across the college’s academic schools and research specialisms. They represent themes including mental health diagnostic injustices, inclusive spaces for future generations, criminalisation of young people in South Wales, and diversity and inclusion in the creative industries.

View the full list of pre-determined projects and their synopses.

“As an institution deeply embedded in our rich and vibrant communities, it is imperative that Cardiff University fully reflects and celebrates the diversity that surrounds, and enriches, us. Higher education and academia must be accessible to all. Sadly, and all too often, this is not the case.

“With this new inclusive PhD scholarship programme, we want to take steps to try and address some of these concerns. The projects identified reflect some of the pressing issues which need to be better researched and understood, while the open call for project proposals will bring wider issues and concerns from underrepresented groups to the fore. We’re committed to championing these new voices and perspectives.

“Through the scholarship programme and improvement in the representativeness of our research community, we can ensure the further, and deeper, understanding of societal challenges. Together, positive and lasting change is possible, and we will always endeavour to play our role in that.”

Each scholarship awarded will cover fees and provide a stipend in line with UKRI rates, up to 4 years of funding. Those who receive a scholarship will also be eligible for a research training and support grant in line with the mean grant provided across the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (£1300). An additional £2000 will be available to support uptake of an any unpaid/modestly paid internships.

The deadline for applications is 28 March 2024 and full details about the scholarships programme, funding, eligibility criteria and applications forms are on our website.