Interdisciplinary Global Development PhD Programme

University of York

The IGDC runs an interdisciplinary PhD programme in Global Development which allows students to explore a global challenge in substantial detail. The programme is undertaken over three years (or six years for part-time students) with a further maximum of one year allowable for writing up and progression points at the end of year 1 and year 2. Students on the programme normally have two supervisors from different departments to encourage interdisciplinary approaches to major global challenges. Throughout the three years they will guide you through the process of clarifying and completing your doctoral thesis. Students will take two modules in the first year ‘Political Research and Analysis’ and ‘Personal and Professional Skills’ and depending on their project and research experience may take additional training provided by the University of York’s Building Research and Innovation Capacity Team, the Library and Archives, IT Services and the Academic Skills Community, such as quantitative methods, including original data collection and secondary data analysis, and qualitative methods including interviews, focus groups, media analysis and archival data. Students also have the opportunity to enrol in any taught modules offered by the supervisors’ departments and other departments in related fields of enquiry and may apply for teaching opportunities in the supervisors’ departments. Most students will undertake a period of fieldwork in the second year for which we offer some financial support. They will join a vibrant ‘global development’ PhD student network which organises reading groups and other events, and will have the opportunity to hear leading academics and development practitioners from around the world in seminars, webinars, workshops and conferences organised by the IGDC. We encourage applications from outstanding candidates who are committed to addressing major global development challenges through interdisciplinary research. We are particularly keen on supporting PhD projects that fit within our research priorities of Social Justice, Global Health, and Sustainable Environments and that respect our commitment to global justice.

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