European Research Council Doctoral Studentship 2022

European Research Council Doctoral Studentship – Mental Health and Irish Migrants in London since 1945

The UCD School of History invites applications for a fully-funded, four-year PhD studentship on Mental Health and Irish Migrants in London since 1945. The successful applicant will join the ERC Starting Grant “DIASPORA” research group led by Dr Alice Mauger. The ERC project team will meet regularly, both virtually and physically, and be committed to the well-being and career development of all our members.

At UCD, you will join a thriving community of postgraduate and early career researchers at the School of History (Top 100 History Departments, QS 2021). As a member of UCD’s Centre for the History of Medicine in Ireland (CHOMI), you will be able to draw on the Centre’s significant expertise in the history of global health, mental health, and gender studies. Your studies and career development will also benefit from the School’s well-developed program of graduate supervision. Candidates will have the opportunity, if they wish, to tutor in the School.

The Project

This doctoral dissertation’s dedicated examination of the mental health problems faced by Irish migrants to London will provide crucial context for the ERC project team’s wider research on the impact of migration, loneliness and isolation on the lived experiences of this cohort. Mental health issues were central to broader discourses on alcohol and drug use among Irish migrants, and in recent decades, these discussions have centred on Irish populations in England.

The doctoral research project will examine a range of archival and online sources including Irish and UK government files (e.g. National Archives of Ireland: Department of Foreign/External Affairs; Department of Health; National Archives (UK): Ministry of Health/Department of Health/Department of Health and Social Security), official debates and reports, and health and social care surveys held at the National Library of Ireland and the British Library. Targeted examination of medical, psychiatry, sociology and social work journals will reveal expert representations of mental health and the Irish, while research on Irish and UK national and regional newspapers will allow for exploration of key debates, developments and responses, alongside relevant case studies from the records of Irish community centres and service centres.

The Studentship provides students with full fees, stipend (€22,000 p/a), and a generous research allowance for the four-year PhD programme. 

The School of History is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is afforded equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from everyone, including those who identify with any of the protected characteristics that are set out in the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy: Policies - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ucd.ie)

Applications should be submitted to alice.mauger@ucd.ie by Friday 2^nd December 2022, 5 pm Irish time. The application must include a CV, academic transcripts, two academic references and a writing sample (e.g. MA dissertation or published article).

For queries, please contact the Principal Investigator and doctoral supervisor, Dr Alice Mauger at alice.mauger@ucd.ie

Terms and Conditions

1. Applicants must have at least a first or upper second-class honours (or equivalent) primary degree and/or the same in a master’s degree. If examination results are not known at the time of application, the School of History may make a provisional offer of a Studentship subject to the student achieving a specified grade in their degree, or such other conditions as the School and University may impose.

2. Applications will be accepted from suitably qualified applicants regardless of nationality or residence. Applicants, however, must make their own visa/consular arrangements to ensure that they are eligible to reside in Ireland for the duration of their studies.

3. The successful applicant must formally enrol into the fulltime PhD programme to start in May 2023.

4. The PhD Studentship provides: 1) an annual stipend of €22,000 for four years; 2) full fees; 3) a generous research allowance. The continuation of the Studentship for the second and subsequent years is dependent on satisfactory performance within the PhD programme and the achievement of the relevant milestones. Failure to progress to Stage Two of the programme within 18 months of registration may result in the suspension or cancellation of the studentship. Renewal of the studentship for the third and fourth years must be accompanied by a written report of the principal supervisor detailing the progression of the student’s studies and their satisfactory nature.

5. This Studentship will be awarded only to those who are full-time students and who will engage in full-time in study.

6. Applicants must submit a CV, academic transcripts, two academic references and a writing sample (e.g. MA dissertation or published article) by Friday, 2^nd December 2022, 5pm Irish time to the project supervisor, Dr Alice Mauger (alice.mauger@ucd.ie) by email. In making its decision, the selection panel will assess the academic record of the applicant. Academic record will be assessed principally on grades and will take account of academic prizes.