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UCD School of Social Justice

 
 

PhD in Women’s Studies

PhD research in Equality Studies can be related to any issue of equality and inequality. It typically involves not just analysing existing inequalities but also work on how to promote equality. Where students are engaged with marginalised or disadvantaged groups, we encourage a collaborative approach that involves people and makes a difference to their lives. We also encourage the study of the structures and institutions that generate and perpetuate inequality, and strategies for change.

All research students in the School take part in a regular research Round Table at which they discuss their work in progress as well as published work that they recommend to each other. As participants in a structured PhD programme, students also take a number of courses chosen from the School’s master’s degree programmes and from the programmes offered by other Schools, the College of Human Sciences and UCD Research.

A list of PhD research topics undertaken in the School is available here

The information below will give you an idea of how your PhD studies will progress over the course of your degree. It is based on the aim of completing the PhD in £ years. Some students need a bit longer to complete, but the university's policy is for full-time students to complete within 4 years.

Guidelines for the Submission of a Ph.D. proposal

Applicants are required to submit the following information:

  1. A completed on-line application form (see http://www.ucd.ie/apply/)
  2. Names and contact addresses/numbers for 2 academic referees.
  3. A draft research proposal containing the following information:
    1. Working Title and Short Description of the Project : this is a brief statement of the research question/problem to be investigated (no more than 70 words).
    2. A Description of the Project: state (i) the aims and objectives of the study; (ii) the central research questions and (iii) give an account of the scope and limitations of the research (no more than 1,000 words).
    3. Bibliographical Review (supply a two-page Bibliography for your topic).
    4. Description of the Relationship of the Project to Existing Feminist Research. Suggest how the project will make a new contribution to knowledge. Do not provide bibliographical lists or footnotes here, give the rationale for the research in the context of Women’s Studies and why this is a feminist project (no more than 600 words).
    5. Methodology: include, for example, the investigative and analytic methods that might be used, your reasons for choosing these methods and the theoretical and conceptual frameworks with which you expect to engage (no more than 800 words).
    6. Research Plan: include, for example, a schedule for the completion of tasks/phases of the project and efficient management and performance of the research (no more than 400 words).
    7. Names and contact addresses, emails and telephone numbers for 2 academic referees.

Applications will be assessed by the academic staff of the Women’s Studies Centre within the UCD School of Social Justice. The assessment will take account of

  1. the academic profile of the applicant (Ph.D. applicants will normally be expected to have achieved distinctions in the degree at Masters level);
  2. the academic merits of the research proposal from a feminist perspective;
  3. the availability of staff for the supervision and direction of the research.

Students who have not completed a Masters in Women’s Studies will be required to undertake selected courses from the Masters Degree programme as part of their work for their Ph.D. Other specialised doctoral courses will also be available for doctoral students. The precise courses taken will depend on the student’s prior academic profile and research needs.

Date for the submission of applications

The deadline for applications for a given year (term begins in September) is April 30th. While applicants may apply at any time, applications will be reviewed by the Doctoral Panel in February and May for the coming autumn. All applicants need to brief themselves on regulations and conditions of entry as laid out by the University. http://www.ucd.ie/pgstudy/prospectivestudents/index.html.

If you wish to gain information on any administrative matters with regard to the PhD programme, including fees, timetables etc., please email Elizabeth.Hassell@ucd.ie or call +353-1-7167104.

If you wish to discuss your proposal or other academic issues with a staff member please contact Dr Katherine O’Donnell, Director of the Women’s Studies Centre Katherine.ODonnell@UCD.ie or call +353-1-716-7323