Postgraduate Research

Programme Overview

Postgraduate researchers benefit from the Centre’s Doctoral Training Programme and all students receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills. Training in the first year provides the foundations for primary research and field-work to be carried out in the second year, and equips students with the essential skills and understanding of research processes required for successful completion of a PhD. Research students are also supported by Coventry University’s Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides high-quality training and career development activities.

As members of the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, research students are integrated in a rich research environment and benefit from development opportunities offered to all our staff and students, including our research seminar series led by CTPSR researchers and visiting scholars. Our vibrant community of postgraduate researchers also come together for induction, summer schools, reading/writing groups and social events.

Each PhD student is linked to a research group for access to support and mentoring, and is encouraged to become actively engaged in the Centre’s research projects, enabling them to gain hands-on experience of larger research projects. Our PhD Tutor holds regular drop-in sessions to offer advice on all issues including career progression.

CTPSR’s annual Doctoral Summer School provides opportunities for all PhD students to present their research, develop essential communication skills and receive constructive feedback from academic colleagues. The summer school includes a ‘Careers Day’ covering research careers inside and outside academia.

Main Areas of Supervision

• Communities, Politics and Identity
• Faith and Peaceful Relations
• Global Inequalities and Development
• Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation
• Security, Vulnerability and Resilience

The Doctoral Training Centre (DTC)/Facilities

Doctoral students are fully integrated into the life of the Centre, having access to the same facilities and office space as members of staff. In addition, each student has access to a development fund to help with costs relating to their programme of study, such as research materials, conference attendance and field-work expenses.

Post-doc fellowship scheme

PhD students with a successful track record and prompt completion are offered the opportunity to compete for a 1 year post-doctoral fellowship at Coventry University.

• Making an application

  Candidates are encouraged to discuss their research proposal with a potential supervisor before submitting a formal application. Contact details for individual staff members can be found through the Centre’s Research Groups.

  For details on entry requirements and the formal application process and forms, please see Making an Application.

• Studentships and Non-funded Proposals

  The Centre offers a range of fully funded opportunities each year, as well as some non-funded project ideals for those who are considering a PhD and would like to work on an already designed projects.

  Self-financing students with their own PhD proposals can apply to be supervised by our team of academics with expertise in their fields, to form their supervisory team. We welcome informal approaches to explore potential research proposals.

  • To visit our available fully funded studentships.
  • To visit our available non-funded studentships.
  • To form the supervisory team for your own PhD proposal, visit the CTPSR staff Pure Portal

  Further Funding

  Whether or not you are applying for a funded studentship, it is advisable to also explore other potential funding from external sources. Many charities, foundations and trusts, as well as the UK Research Councils offer funding for postgraduate study, from small grants to full scholarships. Some are for specific subject areas while others have more general eligibility criteria. More information.