Graduate Research Scholarships in the School

UCD School of History offers two fully-funded PhD scholarships. Please read below for more information:

UCD School of History Summer School PhD Studentship 2023

The School of History invites applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship in nineteenth or  twentieth century Irish history. Ranked in the QS top 100 history research departments worldwide, the School of History is home to a dynamic and diverse community of scholars with a wide range of research interests, ranging from the early Middle Ages to the early 21 st century. For more about the
School, see About - UCD School of History.

The School of History Studentship provides successful candidate with full fees (at either EU or non-EU level), stipend (€17,500 p/a), and a research allowance (€2,000 p/a) for the four-year PhD programme. The successful candidate will work full-time with the School of History Summer School in History/Physics over eight weeks between late May and mid July.

For more details about the terms and conditions, see terms and conditions below. For the application form, follow this link.

To discuss a possible application, you should contact Dr Fionnuala Walsh. Dr Walsh will serve as the lead or co-supervisor for the successful candidate. 

We particularly welcome applications for projects relating to Irish social or cultural history, women’s and/ or gender history, Ireland’s migration history, or in the history of war and revolution 1914-1923.

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 the School of History, at gradhistory@ucd.ie by Friday, 13 January 2023, 5 pm Irish time. The application must include the research project application, a CV, academic transcripts, and two academic references.

For general queries, please contact the School at gradhistory@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 either May or September 2023.

4. The Studentship provides: 1) an annual stipend of €17,500 for four years; 2) fees at either EU or non-EU level; 3) a research allowance of €2,000 per annum. The successful candidate will be required to support the School of History’s History/Physics Summer School for students from the United States. This entails a full-time work commitment for 8 weeks between May and July. Applicants will be asked to demonstrate experience and/or interest in relevant administrative skills in their application, such as organising events (e.g. for a student society),

5. 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.

6. This Studentship will be awarded only to those who are full-time students.

7. Applicants must submit the completed research project application, a CV, academic transcripts, and two academic references by Friday, 13 January 2023 to the School of History (gradhistory@ucd.ie) by email.

8. In making its decision, the selection panel will assess the quality of the research project (40%), the academic record of the applicant (40%) and evidence of administrative experience (20%). Academic record will be assessed principally on grades and will take account of academic prizes.

9. UCD is committed to the maintenance of the highest ethical standards in its research. Where ethical issues may arise, applicants will be required to submit a written statement to the effect that full consideration has been given to the ethical implications of the research proposal. This statement must further demonstrate the applicant’s proposed resolution of the ethical issues arising. Such
applications will be referred to the UCD Ethics Committee. All research should be conducted in accordance with the UCD Code of Good Practice in Research. If a research project requires access to archival material in private custodianship or archival material with restricted access, written evidence of appropriate permission to consult such material must be furnished to as part of the proposal.

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.