PhD Politics Studentship linked to a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Project: Pan African frontiers and identities.

Applicants are invited for a fully funded PhD Studentship (fees & stipend) to be held at the Department of Politics and International Studies, SOAS University of London. 

This PhD opportunity is linked to a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Project: "Pan-African frontiers and identities: the remarking of African in world politics." This project is highly collaborative and multi-disciplinary, exploring contemporary intellectual and policy discourse around Pan-African-ism. The project intends to understand how we ought to approach ideas from Africa and African diasporas. The project will be hosted by a new Centre for Pan-African Studies at the Department of Politics and International Studies. See more information about the project on the Pan African Frontiers website.. 

The successful candidate will carry out an independent sub-project under the direction of your supervisors, The specifics of the research will be shaped according to the candidates interests, but applicants should propose a topic that clearly aligns with the objectives of the Pan-African frontiers project. We especially welcome candidates who are interested in exploring questions around how Pan-African-ism informs practice in specific policy sectors of the regional security. continental development, or diaspora engagement. For example, the candidate may choose o work on issues of humanitarian crises, the interconnections between the ideals of continental peace-building norms and regional drivers of conflict in the horn of Africa or the great lakes region. the successful candidate may instead want to concentrate on the question of institutionalisation of pan-African ideals of economic transformation by looking at the case of the African Continental Free Trade Area or the East African Community. 

Eligible programmes

• Any full-time PhD Programme in Politics or International Studies 

New applicants only (new admissions, starting in September 2023)

Candidate criteria 

Applications are welcome from candidates from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds relevant to the proposed topi, such as politics, international studies, African studies, and security studies, etc. Candidates must have knowledge or understanding of continental and regional politics in Africa, and their proposal must fit within the parameters of the Pan-African frontiers project. Applicants are encouraged to explain in their applications how their profile and plans would fit the projects scope. 

Applicants must meet standard eligibility entry criteria for PhD study at SOAS University of London, apply submit their PhD application and ensure they then apply to the scholarship.

If an applicant has not applied to SOAS by the time we begin shortlisting, your application for the award will not be considered. 

Candidate assessment 

Candidates will be assessed based on the information provided in their scholarship application and in their online admissions application. One award will be granted to the strongest application based on an assessment of their academic excellence, research potential, the strength of their research proposal and fit with the remit of the project. 

Scholarship application deadline 

Scholarship applications must be received no later than 12:00 (UK local time) on 27th February 2023

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered

Scholarship application procedures

There is a two-step procedure:

Step 1

Apply for your programme

Guidance for applying for Research Admission and information on what makes a complete application can be found on how to apply (research)

Step 2

Apply for the scholarship by 12:00 (UK local time) on 27 February 2023.

You must apply for this scholarship via the online application form.

Notification of results

Due to the competitive nature of the award, only the successful candidates will be notified by the end of March 2023. If you have not heard from us by then, you should assume that your application was unsuccessful. 

For enquiries, please contact the Scholarships Department:

Email: scholarships@soas.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7074 5090