WHAT THE STUDENTSHIP WILL COVER:

• The funded studentship may cover UK tuition fees for a maximum of three years. The basic rate of maintenance support for a Research Studentship is £15,840. For further details regarding eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria), please click on the DfE Research Eligibility Guidance Notes.
• The School of Law and the School Of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics provide world-leading research environments. Both Schools have longstanding expertise in trade law and policy and host a vibrant community of academics and doctoral researchers focused on trade policy matters
• In addition to the training and other resources available at the School of Law, the School Of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics and the QUB Graduate School, the students will be fully embedded in the UK Centre on Inclusive Trade Policy (CITP).

To apply, please complete an application form on the Queen’s University Postgraduate Applications Portal including:

• 2-page curriculum vitae (include the names and contact details of two referees who can comment on your ability to complete doctoral work, by reference to your academic performance to date).
• Research proposal of maximum 2.500 words (including references but excluding bibliography). The proposal should address the: (i) research question(s); (ii) the research context; (iii) methodology and; (iv) proposed time schedule. In the proposal, applicants should demonstrate their understanding of key concepts and the relevant academic literature concerning the role of subnational actors in international trade law. Further information on how to prepare a research proposal can be found on the university’s website.
• Transcript of grades.

 The closing date for applications is Friday 13 May 2022 at 4pm.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed (online) during June (time and date tbc).

The outcome will be communicated to the applicants by the end of June 2022.

Please insert CITP22 into the Funding section within your application form.

ELIGIBILITY

• UK residents: fees plus stipend. 
• Other EU residents: fees only.

• Please note this studentship is not available to international students.
• Please note you must be in a position to commence your studies on 1 October 2022.

Qualifications:

• An Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law, political science or another relevant discipline, plus a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) with an average above 60%.

·       Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law, political science or another relevant discipline who are currently studying a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) may also be considered. 

• Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law, political science or another relevant discipline plus evidence of ability to conduct independent and original research will be considered on a case by case basis. 

RESEARCH PROJECT

Title: The role and involvement of subnational entities in international trade

Research project:

The research project aims to analyse the role of subnational entities in shaping international trade negotiations. Contemporary trade agreements increasingly impinge on areas which were until recent recently the sole preserve of domestic regulation. As a result, such agreements have the potential to affect not only the policy and regulatory autonomy of states but also that of subnational entities within states. This has led to a growing debate on the interplay between subnational policy and international and demands for an increased role for subnational entities in shaping trade agreements

The project, which will be multi-disciplinary in nature, will analyse the status of subnational entities under international trade law, the modalities of participation in international trade negotiations and examine, from a comparative perspective, the experience of different jurisdictions in involving subnational entities in the decision making processes surrounding trade agreements. 

In doing so the doctoral research will make an invaluable contribution to political science, international relations and international trade law by providing the first comprehensive examination of the role of subnational entities in international trade negotiations. The findings of this research will also make an important contribution to the research and growing debate concerning the role of devolved authorities in UK trade policy.

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT

The PhD student will be part of the newly established UK Centre on Inclusive Trade Policy (CITP). The CITP is the first centre dedicated to trade policy to be funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It is built on the precept that trade policy should be inclusive in both policy formulation and outcome and focuses on four dimensions of inclusiveness: geography, political domains, society and generations. In addition, the Centre itself is inclusive with researchers in all four UK nations, in five disciplines and at all stages of their careers, and with a commitment to hear the voices of all parts of UK society.

The Centre brings together researchers from all four UK nations – including from the University of Sussex, Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Nottingham, the University of Strathclyde, Cardiff University and the University of Cambridge - and several overseas universities to create the UK’s first interdisciplinary research centre in international trade. The team comprises scholars from economics, law, business management, politics and international relations.

The CITP will provide mentoring for doctoral students through regular structured doctoral supervision as well as through their active engagement with CITP projects. Doctoral students will be fully integrated into CITP activities, such as presenting their work in seminars and attending conferences. Students will also take part in the training pathways provided by the Doctoral Schools at each university, and will be provided with support for technical training as needed. This will include professional skills for research leadership, advanced and cutting-edge research methods training and discipline-based and interdisciplinary training providing a high-level understanding of academic debates in trade policy.

 

For more information please contact:

Dr Viviane Gravey v.gravey@qub.ac.uk

Dr Billy Melo Araujo b.melo-araujo@qub.ac.u