Religion and Politics in the Contemporary World

Code: RPAS2010NOV09
If you wish to be considered for funding under this research theme, please ensure that you quote this code on your application form under 'Intended Source of Funding' (if using the downloadable form) or 'Name of Proposed Supervisor' (if applying online).

For most of the 20^th century the received wisdom held that modernity meant a secular modernity. Religion was seemingly confined to a private space of individual morality, separate form a public sphere of politics. Over the past two decades, however, longstanding assumptions of this sort have had to be questioned. The world is no longer divided along the ideological lines of Cold War global politics, and culture and religion have become key referents in local conflicts and international wars. The University of Aberdeen is pleased to announce an interdisciplinary project, entitled Religion and Politics in the Contemporary World, to develop fresh thinking on the articulation of religion and politics. A number of studentships are available, both Masters (fees only) and Doctoral (fees and partial maintenance). The supervisory team brings together colleagues from political science and international relations, sociology, divinity and religious studies, and anthropology.

Available studentships

2012-13

1 x Overseas Fees PhD Studentship
2 x Home Fees PhD Studentships
2 x Home Fees Masters Studentships

In addition, the committee awarding studentships for the project may be able to allocate some funds towards maintenance.

Closing date: Friday 6 April 2012. Please note that all supporting documentation, e.g. transcripts, references, research proposals, etc., must have been submitted to the Admissions Office by the closing date. The University cannot guarantee that an incomplete application will be considered.

Possible Research Titles and Topics

Prinicpal Investigator: Dr Johan Rasanayagam
Applicants are strongly advised to contact the principal investigator or a member of the supervisory team before submitting their application form and research proposal.

While these are not exhaustive of the thesis topics the project may consider supporting, they do give a fairly clear idea of the types of projects which the supervisory team would be keen to see investigated.

• Religion and Conflict
• Religion and Peacebuilding
• Religious Responses to (Late-)Modernity
• Divine Violence and Islamic Political Movements