Doctoral Scholarship – Institute for Culture and Society

by: Robert Grimm - September 30th, 2011  

The University of Western Sydney’s newly-formed Institute for Culture and Society (which incorporates the Centre for Cultural Research) invites applications for PhD scholarships.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE
The Institute for Culture and Society encourages theoretically-directed empirical research on the transformations in culture and society in the global era. The Institute is home to a number of internationally renowned scholars, contributing to the University of Western Sydney receiving the highest ranking for research quality – well above world standard – in Cultural Studies (as part of the Excellence in Research for Australia 2010).
Headed by Director, Distinguished Professor Ien Ang, and Research Director, Professor Tony Bennett, the Institute for Culture and Society is especially interested in projects in the following areas:

* Cities and Urban Cultures
* Intercultural Dialogue and Transnational Culture
* Institutions, Governance and Citizenship
* Cultural Economy and Globalisation
* Heritage, Environment and Society
* Digital Research and Cultural Transformation
* Australian Cultural Fields
* Culture and Education

Candidates with backgrounds in cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, human geography, cultural history, media and communication studies, Asian studies and other disciplines are encouraged to apply. International applications are welcome, although fees may apply.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
* Good Bachelor Honours degree (Class 1 or 2.1), or equivalent qualifications and/or experience
* Research or professional experience in a relevant field of the humanities and social sciences.

WHAT DOES THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDE?
* Tax-free stipend of $32,860 per annum and a funded place in the doctoral degree for domestic candidates. International applicants may have to pay fees.

FURTHER INFORMATION
* To discuss a potential project please contact Dr Megan Watkins at m.watkins@uws.edu.au OR Professor Deborah Stevenson at d.stevenson@uws.edu.au

* Contact the Research Training, Policy and Programs Officer, Mrs Sandra Lawrence to discuss enrolment and scholarships: sg.lawrence@uws.edu.au

* Find out more about the research being undertaken in the CCR and ICS at http://www.uws.edu.au/centre_for_cultural_research/ccr

HOW TO APPLY
* Submit an application form, research proposal and CV by the closing date. The application form can be downloaded from the web: www.uws.edu.au/research/scholarships

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 21 October 2011

About: Robert Grimm

All over Europe, cities are faced with the challenge of using cultural resources to re-position their city in an increasingly culturally and economically diversified European space. Related to this is a clear recognition of the growing importance of cultural resources for economic and community development. This produces new opportunities and challenges for local cultural planning and management. In order to fully exploit the innovative and supportive role of culture in European urban development, it will be necessary to develop a new socially and culturally sensitive professionalism, able to cross the boundaries between the arts, design, urban and spatial planning, public policy and the market, artistic creativity and cultural management. The MA in European Urban Cultures offers a specialist programme aimed at graduate students from Europe and elsewhere with undergraduate degrees in subject areas such as the social sciences; cultural and leisure studies; art, design and architecture; urban theory and planning; cultural marketing and management. The course is also targeted at professionals and administrators eager for the latest experiences, ideas and insights in urban cultural policy.