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- Tasks: Conduct ethnographic research on the treatment of lives deemed exemplary or expendable.
- Company: Loughborough University, a leading institution in Geography and Environment studies.
- Benefits: Fully funded doctoral studentship with opportunities for multi-disciplinary collaboration.
- Other info: Engage in a dynamic research environment with support from experienced academics.
- Why this job: Explore critical questions about human rights and power dynamics on a global scale.
- Qualifications: Strong interest in geography, research skills, and a passion for social justice.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 25000 ÂŁ per year.
The Department of Geography and Environment at Loughborough University is inviting applications for a Doctoral Studentship to start in October 2026. The project broadly addresses the question: “Why and how are some lives depicted and positioned as expendable while others are deemed not just worth protecting but also of exemplary treatments?” This inquiry highlights the starkly differentiated regards for human lives and rights on a planetary scale.
While existing scholarship offers insights, it often fails to differentiate between expendable and exemplary lives, diluting both within the same framework of exception, primarily inspired by Giorgio Agamben’s readings of the state, sovereignty, biopolitics, and the exception. The project stems from observations that “the sovereign’s power is manifested not only via the production of a state of exception but also equally through the creation of a state of example.” It aims to answer: Why, where, how, on whom, and for how long does the sovereign decide to display its power of the example?
This is informed by three specific objectives:
- To spatially locate the example within and beyond the exception,
- To identify how time is used in the creation and treatment of exemplary cases, and
- To investigate the arbitrary power of the sovereign in treating categories as exemplary or exceptional as it wills.
The project will primarily use ethnographic and participatory approaches, including tools such as interviews, FGDs, and observation, along with auto-photography and activity journals with protection seekers across Bangladesh, Finland, and the UK. The doctoral researcher will be primarily responsible for the UK sites (the Midlands and Greater London, provisionally) conducting ethnographic fieldwork while also being required to visit other field sites briefly as part of the broader design of the project inspired by co-creative approaches. The interview transcripts will be subject to systematic qualitative analysis to ensure rigorous interpretation of the data. Project results will be disseminated to multi-disciplinary academic and policy audiences.
The project is funded by The Leverhulme Trust’s Research Leadership Award and involves a multi-year and multi-sited collaboration among different team members. The successful candidate will play a full role in the design, execution, and dissemination of the project under the supervision of Dr Azmeary Ferdoush, Geography and Environment, School of Social Sciences, Loughborough University. Interviews for this studentship are expected to take place in mid-July 2026. Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Azmeary Ferdoush, Lecturer in Human Geography, by email.
PhD: Geographies of example, Loughborough University, UK employer: Regional Studies Association
Contact Detail:
Regional Studies Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PhD: Geographies of example, Loughborough University, UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current PhD students or faculty at Loughborough University. They can give you insider info about the department and might even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by diving deep into the project’s themes. Understand the nuances of biopolitics and the state of exception vs. example. This will show you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your ethnographic skills! If you can, conduct mock interviews or observations with friends. This will help you feel more comfortable when it comes to the real deal during your fieldwork.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their applications.
We think you need these skills to ace PhD: Geographies of example, Loughborough University, UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Project: Before you start writing, make sure you really get what the project is about. Dive into the details of the research question and objectives. This will help us see how your interests align with the project.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Make it personal. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the specific requirements of the studentship. We want to know why you’re the perfect fit!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm shine through in your writing. Share why this project excites you and how it connects to your academic journey. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely passionate about their research.
Proofread and Polish: Before hitting send, give your application a good once-over. Check for typos, grammar mistakes, and clarity. A well-presented application shows us you care about the details. And remember, apply through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Regional Studies Association
✨Know Your Project Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the project's objectives and methodologies. Familiarise yourself with key concepts like biopolitics and the state of exception, as these will likely come up in conversation. Being able to discuss how your background aligns with the project will impress the interviewers.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare some insightful questions about the project and the team. Ask about the ethnographic methods they plan to use or how they envision collaboration across different sites. This shows your genuine interest and engagement with the research.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Highlight any previous research or fieldwork experience that relates to the project. If you've worked with qualitative data analysis or have experience in participatory approaches, make sure to bring this up. Concrete examples will help demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Be Yourself and Stay Relaxed
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but remember to be yourself! The interviewers want to see your passion for the subject and your personality. Take a deep breath, stay calm, and let your enthusiasm for the project shine through. A relaxed candidate often makes a great impression!