1. 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)

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Connections for training...
Manchester is part of the ESRC Northwest Social Science DTP ( and leads the AHRC Northwest Consortium DTP (
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

8. Researcher Development Programme
Methods and all that
manchester
Researcher Development Programme
In Humanities,(and in the DTPs we are a part of) we provide methods training through 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 research training hub

9. Online resources for researcher development
a national organisation supporting the professional development of researchers
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.
A website dedicated to discussing what happens after a PhD in arts/humanities
PGR Doc Blog:
Humanities Researchers Facebook Group
Follow us on

10. 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,

11. It pays to do your research!
Studentships
Awards
Bursaries
Scholarships

12. Major Funding Bodies UK Research Councils Charities Employers Industry
Universities
Overseas Funding Councils

13. Main funders in the Faculty of Humanities
ESRC via the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP)
AHRC via the North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP)
EPSRC studentships
President’s Doctoral Scholar Award
Research Impact Scholarships
School specific awards

14. 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

15. Searching for funding
Online funding database: research/funding/opportunities/
Faculty funding webpage: research/funding/
School websites – PGR funding webpages
SEED:
SOSS:
SALC:
AMBS:
LAW:
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 at which point they can pick up the FindaPhD link
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.

16. 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

17. 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.
- 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
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.

18. 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.)

19. Key contacts AHRC NWCDTP: carole.arrowsmith@manchester.ac.uk
ESRC NWSSDTP
EPSRC:
President’s Doctoral Scholar Awards:
Research Impact Awards (Alumni):
School contacts
SoSS:
SALC:
SEED:
Law:
MBS: