The successful applicant will be awarded a scholarship from Coventry University. They will spend their first year at Coventry University and the following year at Deakin University and then the final 1.5 years at Coventry University.

There is significant yet independent growth in science and arts and humanities research on the role of embodiment in how humans experience and understand movement, emotions, sensations and feelings. An emerging component of this growth is interoception: the capacity for humans to sense the internal states of the body and organs, and in which high interoceptive ability correlates with self-awareness and emotional acuity. ‘Sensing Inside’ is a transdisciplinary postgraduate research project in which the PhD student will be supported to build a programme of research to explore the art and science of somatic movement practices and interoception. The transdisciplinary methodological approach of the student will depend on the student’s background and interests, but will likely draw on arts-based research, and empirical methods, data and analysis.

The prospective student will be hosted at Coventry University, and a second student will be hosted at Deakin University in Melbourne. The two students will develop complementary research strands that examine interoception, physical literacy and the performing arts. Supervision will be drawn from the Centres for Dance Research and Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences at Coventry, and Deakin Motion Lab, and the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition at Deakin University.

Prospective candidates should have an extensive background in somatic practices, and the necessary curiosity and openness to engage with transdisciplinary research, including traditional and experimental research methods and dissemination.

Funding

Bursary, tuition fees, and additional allowances.

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 College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.

Candidate specification

Applicants must meet the admission and scholarship criteria for both Coventry University and Deakin University for entry to the cotutelle programme. This includes;

Applicants should have graduated within the top 15% of their undergraduate cohort. This might include a high 2:1 in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 70% mark (80% for Australian graduates) in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 70% overall module average (80% for Australian graduates).
A Masters degree in a relevant subject area, with overall mark at minimum Merit level. In addition, the mark for the Masters dissertation (or equivalent) must be a minimum of 80%. Please note that where a candidate has 70-79% and can provide evidence of research experience to meet equivalency to the minimum first-class honours equivalent (80%+) additional evidence can be submitted and may include independently peer-reviewed publications, research-related awards or prizes and/or professional reports.
Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study.

For an overview of each University’s entry requirements please visit:
https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-opportunities/research-students/cotutelle-phd-programmes/ and https://www.deakin.edu.au/research/become-a-research-student/research-degree-entry-pathways

Please note that it is essential that applicants confirm that they are able to physically locate to both Coventry University (UK) and Deakin University (Australia)

Additional:

This Cotutelle is underpinned by the epistemic and methodological possibilities of transdisciplinarity. As part of the application process, we request that applicants include a 300-word statement on what transdisciplinarity means to them and their artistic and/or scholarly work.

How to apply

All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus an up to 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.

All candidates must apply to both Universities.

Apply to Coventry University Apply to Deakin University