Funding

Funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

SASS8441023

Start dates

February 2024

Application deadline

30 October 2023

Applications are invited for a fully-funded PhD bursary to commence in February 2024. 

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and will be supervised by Dr Ben Davies (Literature), Dr Simon Stewart (Sociology), and Dr Helen Ringrow (Languages and Linguistics).


Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees at the UK/EU/Overseas rate for three years (full time), an annual stipend in line with UKRI rates (£18,622 for 2023-24) and a contribution of £2,000 towards consumables, conference, project or training costs.

Your work on this project could involve:

  • Combining literary-critical and sociological approaches to assess current reading habits, their depictions in literature and other cultural forms, and the ways in which literature is adapting to – or challenging – changes in reading practices. 
  • Deploying qualitative research methods, focusing on people’s reading habits, practices and preferences. Sociologically-based thematic analysis of evaluative judgements of readers could be considered in relation to wider repertoires of judgement as expressed on review sites and social media platforms.
  • Analysis of how digital reading platforms and technologies, as well as advances in Artificial Intelligence, might affect literary production and consumption.

This PhD builds on the study of contemporary literature and reading by lead supervisor Dr Ben Davies, which has recently involved international collaboration with the University of Copenhagen, exploring reading during Covid-19 and reading practices within universities. 

The main aim of the PhD project is to gain a stronger understanding of the role of reading and literature in the present with the purpose of seeking to identify emerging trends, habits, and practices. The PhD will offer you the opportunity to analyse people’s present day literary reading habits, practices and trends, looking to future developments in the role of reading within society. It will be committed to the combination of literary analysis – thinking about how texts themselves depict, respond to, and shape readers and reading – and ethnographic and sociological methods.

As part of this project, you will examine macro-trends in reading practices and analyse reading habits, patterns, and rituals. You will explore how reading intersects with other activities in everyday life, analysing, for instance, where, when, and how people read. You will also examine the extent to which the taste patterns of readers are markers of their social background and indicative of cultural capital possession. You may examine where and from whom readers get reading recommendations, including through social media platforms such as ‘BookTok’, as well as examine the various modes of evaluative judgement that are in play when individuals engage with literature and how they operate across time. With its focused sociological approach, this project will have the potential to contribute to, and shape, emerging research on the role of reading and literature in the twenty-first century.

 

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Detailed understanding of contemporary literature, narrative theory, and reading trends.

In-depth knowledge of current debates about ‘method’ in literary studies, critique/postcritique.

Familiarity with sociological and ethnographic methods, and the sociology of literature.

Ability to conduct and analyse qualitative and quantitative research.

Expertise in analysing digital technologies, platforms, and social media sites.

You will be required to teach up to 6 hours per week during term time, which will be supported with appropriate training and qualifications. 

 

We particularly welcome applications from students from the following groups, as the Office for Students has identified that they are currently underrepresented in Higher Education: 

  • Students from areas of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status; 
  • Black, Asian and minoritized ethnic students;
  • Students from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities; 
  • Disabled students; 
  • Carers and care leavers; 
  • People estranged from their families; 
  • Children from military families; 
  • Refugees.

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Ben Davies (Ben.Davies@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code SASS8441023 when applying.