Postgraduate Research in the Faculty of Humanities Professor Stuart Jones Associate Dean for Postgraduate Research Dr Ian Fairweather (Researcher Development Manager) Ms Nichola Ellis (Senior Postgraduate Research Administrator)

What we will cover What it is to be a Doctoral student in the Faculty of Humanities. The key aspects involved in getting a PhD. The importance of the supervisors in the PhD process. Researcher development. Funding a PhD. How to apply.

Doing a PhD Most people think of the PhD as the thesis (or series of articles etc.) that you will produce. This makes them think of the PhD as a lonely enterprise. However, in Humanities we aim for PGRs to have a sense of community. PhD colleagues, supervisors, students (if you teach), research contacts etc. all have an impact on how your PhD develops. Important to think of this aspect of the PhD: the PhD as process, and not just the end product

Aspects of the Process Research Communities Subject & Discipline Knowledge Interdisciplinary working Teaching Research Integrity Researcher-led activities Publications Research Seminars Supervision & Dialogue Methodology & Approaches Academic Practice Fieldwork & Data Collection Reflective Practice Academic Conferences

Working with your supervisor(s) This is (still) at the heart of the PhD. Finding the right supervisor(s) is therefore incredibly important. Not just about expertise, but also about how they will work with you. Try to speak with your prospective supervisors during the application process.

The Doctoral Journey Whatever your ‘thesis’ product, you are aiming to become a highly skilled, professional researcher Wider training opportunities are important Methods training, researcher training, integrating into the research environment are all important aspects of a doctoral researcher’s development

Connections for training... Manchester is part of the ESRC Northwest Social Science DTP (www.nwssdtp.ac.uk) and leads the AHRC Northwest Consortium DTP (www.nwcdtp.ac.uk) This means students at Manchester have access to resources and training at institutions across the Northwest (and vice versa) and of course wider opportunities to interact with with academics and doctoral researchers at these institutions The AHRC NWCDTP is also working with partners outside of the HE sector, such as the BBC, TATE Liverpool, HOME, who can provide specialist training and support doctoral researchers in developing knowledge exchange skills

Researcher Development Programme Methods and all that methods@ manchester Researcher Development Programme artsmethods@ In Humanities,(and in the DTPs we are a part of) we provide methods training through methods@manchester and artsmethods (and their ‘Northwest’ counterparts) Researcher Development Programme provides opportunities to develop important transferrable skills Also: Events, workshops, online resources, student-led activities. See ProGRess@Humanities research training hub

Online resources for researcher development http://www.vitae.ac.uk a national organisation supporting the professional development of researchers http://thesiswhisperer.com/ a blog newspaper dedicated to the topic of doing a thesis and is edited by Dr Inger Mewburn, Director of research training at the Australian National University. http://www.beyondthephd.co.uk A website dedicated to discussing what happens after a PhD in arts/humanities PGR Doc Blog: https://pgrdocblog.wordpress.com Humanities Researchers Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/349538218544619/ Follow us on twitter @HumsResearchers

How do universities support this? Seek to integrate you with your cohort and with academic researchers in your area. The relevant Research Councils – the AHRC and ESRC – fund DTPs and CDTs: all these bring together doctoral researchers to train and develop together. These arrangements foster interdisciplinary work, impact and knowledge exchange. Many of the RC-funded training structures are now inter- institutional. The precise set-up may vary from university to university,

It pays to do your research! Studentships Awards Bursaries Scholarships

Major Funding Bodies UK Research Councils Charities Employers Industry Universities Overseas Funding Councils http://www.manchester.ac.uk/

Main funders in the Faculty of Humanities ESRC via the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) https://nwssdtp.ac.uk/ AHRC via the North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) http://www.nwcdtp.ac.uk/ EPSRC studentships President’s Doctoral Scholar Award Research Impact Scholarships School specific awards

Funding -Typical Award Values Fully-funded PhD studentships should provide support for: Tuition Fees (£4,195 FT UK/EU 2017/18) Stipend (maintenance award): £14,553p.a. (2017/18 minimum RCUK rate). Rates vary between the various funding bodies. Some studentships also provide an allowance towards research training costs (equipment, participant expenses, travel, conference attendance etc.) – this is often referred to as the RTSG allowance. Supplementary support may be available for overseas fieldwork expenses, disability, maternity/illness cover etc. Always ask to check the terms and conditions of your funding so you are clear on your entitlements

Searching for funding Online funding database: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate- research/funding/opportunities/ Faculty funding webpage: http://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/research/postgraduate- research/funding/ School websites – PGR funding webpages SEED: http://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/opportunities/ SOSS: http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/opportunities/ SALC: http://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/fees/postgraduate-research-funding/ AMBS: http://www.mbs.ac.uk/phd/programme-overview/funding.aspx LAW: http://www.law.manchester.ac.uk/fees/postgraduate-research/ See leaflet The main information point for those interested in the PhD loan scheme is via the FindaPhD site below and we would recommend that those applicants wishing to obtain information about the scheme are directed to http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/funding/ at which point they can pick up the FindaPhD link https://www.findaphd.com/funding/guides/uk-phd-loans-scheme.aspx   Students have to apply directly to the Student Loans Company (as per PGT/UG loans) – there will not be an internal application process.  Payments will be paid in instalments directly into the students accounts – it is for them to determine how to spend the funds. We have no details as yet in terms of the application window other that it will open in 2018. In terms of management of the loans, SSC is our direct link with the Student Loans Company. As soon as full details are made available we will make these available.

Be wary of residency criteria Typical criteria 3 Year PhD Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree Masters qualification at merit with 60% minimum in dissertation Previous research experience Be wary of residency criteria Check school websites IELTS 7.0 minimum with 7.0 in writing component, 100 TOEFL – 25 in writing

How to apply Know what subject area you would like to research Identify a preferred supervisor Write a research proposal – liaise with your potential supervisor to develop your proposal. Guidance is available within your school e.g. http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/study-with-us/how-to-apply/postgraduate-research/writing-your-proposal/ - Make sure that your research idea, question or problem is very clearly stated and well-grounded in academic research. - Make sure that your proposal is well focused and conforms exactly to the submission requirements described here. - Poorly specified, jargon-filled or rambling proposals will not convince us that you have a clear idea of what you want to do. Submit online with supporting documents http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/how-to-apply/ Your research proposal will be used to assess the quality and originality of your ideas, whether you are able to think critically and whether you have a grasp of the relevant literature. It also gives us important information about the perspectives you intend to take on your research area, and how you fit into the department's research profile overall. This is helpful when assigning a supervisor. http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/study-with-us/how-to-apply/postgraduate-research/writing-your-proposal/

Standing out from the crowd Read between the lines – which qualities are you being asked to demonstrate at each stage? Take ownership from the start – don’t be afraid to ask searching questions Show preparedness – knowledge of relevant publications, background to the research group, wider developments in the research area, potential ‘impact’…. Assess the ‘fit’ of the research training to your own requirements (career progression, depth/breadth of training, potential outputs etc.)

Key contacts AHRC NWCDTP: carole.arrowsmith@manchester.ac.uk ESRC NWSSDTP nichola.ellis@manchester.ac.uk EPSRC: anusarin.lowe@manchester.ac.uk President’s Doctoral Scholar Awards: anusarin.lowe@manchester.ac.uk Research Impact Awards (Alumni): anusarin.lowe@manchester.ac.uk School contacts SoSS: vicky.barnes@manchester.ac.uk SALC: joanne.marsh@manchester.ac.uk SEED: pgr-seedfunding@manchester.ac.uk Law: helen.davenport@manchester.ac.uk MBS: lynne.barlow-cheetham@mbs.ac.uk