People make Coventry: A study in relational place-making
Eligibility: UK/International graduates with the required entry requirements
Duration: Full-Time – between three and three and a half years fixed term
Application deadline: 15 Jan 2025
Interview date: Will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates
Start date: May 2025
For further details contact: Professor Ele Belfiore
Introduction
This PhD scholarship embraces a ‘relational’ approach to place-making, according to which places are not ‘made’ by urban planners, policy-makers and politicians, but are in fact produced relationally by the many groups and communities that live and experience them.
Project details
This PhD scholarship embraces a ‘relational’ approach to place-making, according to which places are not ‘made’ by urban planners, policy-makers and politicians, but are in fact produced relationally by the many groups and communities that live and experience them. This entails focusing on cities as ‘networks of place productions’, and as the result of the coming together of diverse and often competing perspectives on the part of those who ‘make’ a place (Pierce et al 2011). Adopting this understanding of place-making, the PhD will centre on a theoretical, conceptual and empirical exploration of how local communities and actors, in their interaction with local institutions and urban planning processes, have ‘made’ the city of Coventry into the rich, diverse, complex and at times contradictory place it is today. The purpose of the PhD is to bring to light, critically examine and understand how community-driven civic, cultural, political and other forms of engagement and even activism have shaped either particular areas of Coventry, or the city as a whole. This will be an interdisciplinary project and we welcome a range of methodological approaches from both humanities and social sciences, and the use of creative methods and/or a co-production approach are especially encouraged.
Funding
Tuition fees and bursary
Benefits
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills. All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral and Researcher College, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.
Entry requirements
- A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.
PLUS
- The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years.
- A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS academic overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).]
Additional requirements
Understanding of different models of economic, social and community development
Experience of different research methods
How to apply
To find out more about the project, please contact Professor Ele Belfiore.
All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.
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