PhD in Gender & Sexuality Studies in City of Westminster

Research students can specialise in any aspect of gender or sexuality studies for which suitable supervision is available. Potential supervisors’ disciplinary expertise comes from anthropology, architecture, development studies, education, geography, history, history of art, law, literary and film studies, queer studies, sociology and urban studies.

Potential supervisors have a very varied set of research interests with a focus on different parts of the world in both contemporary and historical perspective. Their interests include:

• nationalism and sexuality
• gender and urban development in the Global South
• contemporary gay and queer cinema
• gender and sexuality in medieval and modern European and world literary or visual culture
• feminism and social movements
• historical, sociological and legal perspectives on intimacy, sexuality, care and the home
• sexuality, migration and health
• cultural discourses of AIDS

Fieldwork requirements will depend on the topic of study chosen. A student planning to undertake fieldwork outside the UK will have to find funding to cover the costs.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble (accessable.co.uk). Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Applicants may be eligible for funding from the ESRC UBEL Doctoral Training Centre, AHRC London Arts and Humanities Partnership, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission or UCL Overseas/Graduate Research studentships. Anyone applying for funding will normally need a first class first degree from the UK together with a distinction in an already completed UK Master’s degree, or equivalent qualifications from elsewhere. We expect similar levels of academic performance from all applicants, together with excellent written English (IELTS ‘Advanced’ level).

For information about available scholarships please visit the SELCS/CMII Funding and Scholarships website. For information about ESRC or AHRC funding, please visit the UBEL or LAHP websites, respectively. Anyone seeking funding must submit their UCL application by December (earlier than for other SELCS/CMII programmes), after first discussing their plans with the programme director.

The PhD demonstrates the ability to produce original knowledge and ideas, to work independently and creatively on a substantial research project and to construct convincing and well-founded arguments. Links with the Gender, Society and Representation MA offer teaching assistant opportunities that provide valuable academic experience in skills development, planning and organising learning and teaching, facilitating group-based learning and evaluating student work.

PhD candidates can choose Gender Studies or Sexuality Studies as the field of study on statements confirming the degree award; other options may be possible.

Applicants must hold a first class first degree from the UK, or an equivalent, and a distinction in an already completed UK Master’s degree, or equivalent qualifications from elsewhere. Excellent written English (IELTS ‘Advanced’ level) is required. The programme requires two references. Candidates applying for funding should contact the programme director and submit the UCL application by 1 December.