Postgraduate research opportunities Communicating (Micro)plastics: Science and media myths in a changing landscape
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Thursday 27 April 2023
- Deadline: Wednesday 7 June 2023
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 4 years
- Funding: Home fee, Stipend
Overview
Fully funded PhD studentship. Students will lead research into social dimensions of plastics pollution with considerable autonomy in designing and carrying out projects with the support of an experienced supervisory team. Candidates will gain skills in interdisciplinary working, generating impactful research and liaising with business and external organisations and thus gain invaluable real -world experience.Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- a good First or Upper-Second (2:1) honours degree in a relevant area and
- preferably a relevant master's degree
from a UK university, or equivalent international qualifications, or qualifications and relevant experience that we consider to be equivalent.
Experience in subject areas includes:
- communications
- psychology
- sociology
- journalism
- media
- environmental science
- social anthropology
Project Details
The challenge
The problem of plastic pollution has come to the public and policymakers' attention largely due to powerful media images and messages in social media and popular mainstream media. Charismatic mammals entangled in plastic waste and headline stories highlighting the impact of microplastics on human health have moved microplastics and nanoplastics from the pages of scientific journals into the public domain. However, there are a number of myths which have emerged as ‘facts’ which can have implications for scientific accuracy, public-science trust and also raise a number of ethical dilemmas. The key research focus for this project is to analyse and deconstruct images and messaging concerning microplastics and plastic pollution to inform risk communication approaches by scientific organisations, policymakers and NGOs.
It is anticipated that methods will include a mix of qualitative and quantitative approaches involving visual analysis, semi-structured interviews, rapid ethnography, and analysis of social media and we are open to creative methods and theories which reflect the candidates’ specialist area.
Funding partner
UKRI/NERC/Innovate UK
Funding details
The studentship covers home fees and a stipend for living costs of circa £18,000 (full-time) per annum for the duration of the project as listed above. The stipend will be in line with UK Research Council rates and an increase is expected but still to be confirmed.
International candidates can apply but would need to finance the difference between the home fee and the international fee approx. £11,316 for 2023/24, increasing slightly each year.
While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.
Supervisors
Professor Lesley Henderson
Professor Of Science Communication
Journalism, Media and Communication
Apply
To be considered for this scholarship, eligible applicants must state “SCDT Dimensions of Plastics PhD Studentship” along with the Project Title in the Funding section of the application and apply formally online. Applicants should apply for either 1 October 2023 or 1 January 2024 start date.
Please submit your application with the following documents by the close of 7 June 2023:
- A 1000-word personal statement/proposal describing how your academic background and experience fits the project title you are applying for & how you would approach the research
- An academic curriculum vitae
- Academic transcripts of degrees
- Two academic references – name and contact details
Applications will be ranked by a selection panel after the closing date and applicants will be notified if they have been shortlisted for interview. Interviews are expected to be held around mid-June 2023.
The successful applicants must be available to commence study full-time on 1 October 2023.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Number of places: 1
To read how we process personal data, applicants can review our 'Privacy Notice for Student Applicants and Potential Applicants' on our Privacy notices' web page.
Contact us
For informal enquiries regarding the projects please contact:
- Professor Lesley Henderson, Professor of Science Communication, School of Journalism, Media & Communication at lesley.henderson@strath.ac.uk
- Professor Paul Flowers, Professor of Health Psychology, School of Psychology Sciences & Health at paul.flowers@strath.ac.uk
For any questions regarding the application process please contact: hass-pgr-applications@strath.ac.uk