Inter-disciplinary Approaches to Violence

Code: RPAS2010NOV04
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).

We invite applications for the second round of PhD bursaries under the inter-disciplinary approaches to violence theme. Though violence covers a huge range of issues, topics and practices, its radical reduction is the prime focus in a plethora of organisations - social, cultural and political - including governments, NGOs, policy makers, academics, community workers, the police and judiciary, educators, the media, film makers and artists. In this broad context, inter-disciplinary knowledge production is increasingly seen as a key tool in achieving ultimate success in curtailing what (in one recent example) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has described as a global 'scourge' of violence.  Given the significant role of inter-disciplinary knowledge, a central aim of this programme is to consider the promises and pitfalls of the idea and practice of inter-disciplinary work in the arena of violence. As such we invite research proposals which critically analyse specific forms and representations of violence (which might be physical, emotional, legislative, symbolic or other).

Available studentships

3 x Home Fees PhD Studentships
1 x Overseas Fees PhD Studentship

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

Closing date: Friday 15 April 2011. 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

Principal Investigator: Dr Marysia Zalewski
Applicants must contact the principal investigator before submitting their application form and research proposal. Applicants may also like to contact a member of the supervisory team to discuss potential projects.

We welcome applications on any topic associated with critical approaches to inter-disciplinary violence (subject to supervisory capacity).  We are especially interested in research which addresses the gaps and slippages in the 'knowledge-policy-practice' cycle; additionally we welcome proposals which build on our current students' topics which include: symbolic violence in feminist knowledge production in academia; discursive production of security in Israel; local violence and foreign directed neoliberal democratisation; violence and visuality in post-dictatorial Spain.

Other potential research themes include:

• Unintended Consequences: Theory, Policy and the (Re)Production of Violence
• Rule and Resistance: Authoritarianism, Democracy-Promotion and Radicalisation
• Recuperation and resistance: Masculinities in an era of accountability and responsibility
• Normative Knowledge Economies: Feminist Analyses
• Male Violence, Contemporary Weaponry: Legislations and Explanations
• New Economies of Violence in the Aftermath of the Global Recession
• Forgiveness, Trust and Friendship in Post-Violent Scenarios
• Trauma, Memory and Representation: Analysing Post-Terrorist Scenarios
• Art and Politics in the Age of Terrorism
• Violent-Violated Bodies: Contemporary Representations
• Cultures of Violence in Non-state Actors
• Violent Communication or Communicating Violence? Political Discourse Prior to Conflict