Durham University Transformative Humanities PhD Studentships 2027

Durham University is offering up to eleven Transformative Humanities PhD Studentships for outstanding candidates beginning doctoral study in October 2027. The studentships are supported by Durham University’s AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award together with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The opportunity is open to both home and overseas students who want to undertake doctoral research connected to Durham University’s Transformative Humanities framework. The programme is particularly suited to researchers whose projects can address important questions across disciplinary boundaries and contribute to new thinking in the humanities and social sciences.

Up to nine studentships are available for home students, while up to two studentships are available for overseas students. The awards provide a tuition fee waiver and a stipend for 3.5 years of full time study or 7 years of part time study, with the stipend set at the level determined by UK Research and Innovation.

About the PhD Studentship

The Transformative Humanities PhD Studentships support doctoral research projects that connect with Durham University’s Transformative Humanities framework. The university describes the scheme as an interdisciplinary initiative designed to support outstanding researchers working on projects that can contribute to new approaches to important humanities and social science questions.

Applicants must be accepted onto a PhD programme at Durham University with a supervisory team led by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities or the Faculty of Social Sciences.

An important feature of the programme is its interdisciplinary structure. Supervision must involve collaboration across at least two departments, meaning applicants should consider how their research can benefit from expertise in different academic areas.

The scheme is open to both home and international applicants, although the number of overseas awards is limited.

Opportunity Benefits

• Tuition fee waiver

• Stipend for 3.5 years of full time study

• Stipend for 7 years of part time study

• Stipend paid at the UKRI set level

• Additional funding opportunities

• Access to research training resources

• Access to placement resources

• Opportunity to conduct doctoral research at Durham University

• Interdisciplinary supervision across at least two departments

• Academic development within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities or Faculty of Social Sciences

Transformative Humanities Research Themes

Durham University identifies several broad areas within its Transformative Humanities framework. Applicants should ensure that their proposed doctoral research connects meaningfully with the framework.

Potential areas include:

• Creativity, Culture and Heritage

• Digital Humanities

• Environmental Humanities

• Medical Humanities

• Science and Humanities

• Social Justice, Communities and Policy

Applicants are expected to demonstrate the relevance of their proposed project to Transformative Humanities within their research proposal.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be applying for a PhD programme at Durham University.

• The proposed supervisory team must be led by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities or the Faculty of Social Sciences.

• The proposed supervision must involve collaboration across at least two departments.

• Applicants can be home or overseas students.

• The proposed research must relate to Durham University’s Transformative Humanities framework.

• Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence at undergraduate and postgraduate level, or equivalent professional experience.

• Applicants should demonstrate sufficient research skills to undertake the proposed doctoral project.

• The proposed project must be realistic and feasible within the funded period.

• Applicants should meet the admission requirements of their chosen Durham University PhD programme.

Research Proposal Requirements

The research proposal is a central part of the application and must be no more than 1,000 words, including footnotes but excluding the bibliography where applicable.

The proposal should clearly explain:

• The research questions

• The research context

• The intended approach

• The research methods

• The relevance of the project to Transformative Humanities

• The fit between the project and Durham University

Applicants should make sure that the proposal presents a focused and achievable doctoral project rather than an overly broad research topic.

Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed competitively. Durham University information indicates that selection considers:

• Quality of the proposed project

• Relevance to Transformative Humanities

• Feasibility within the available doctoral period

• Viability in relation to project costs and available training support

The interdisciplinary character of the proposed research and the availability of appropriate academic supervision are therefore important considerations.

Required Application Materials

Applicants should prepare:

• Research proposal of no more than 1,000 words

• CV of no more than two pages

• Equal opportunities monitoring form

• Contact details for two referees

Applicants should also complete the normal supporting documentation required for admission to their chosen PhD programme.

Application Process

1. Review the Transformative Humanities framework and identify a research area that fits your academic interests.
2. Explore Durham University departments and identify potential supervisors whose expertise matches your proposed research.
3. Contact potential supervisors to discuss your project before submitting the application.
4. Develop a focused research proposal addressing the research questions, context, approach, methods, relevance to Transformative Humanities and fit with Durham University.
5. Prepare a CV of no more than two pages.
6. Arrange two referees and provide their contact details through the application system.
7. Complete the required equal opportunities monitoring form and retain the confirmation code provided after submission.
8. Apply to the relevant Durham University PhD programme through the online application system.
9. In the funding section under Scholarship details, indicate that you wish to be considered for Transformative Humanities.
10. If you wish to be considered for other Durham funding schemes, list those schemes as instructed.
11. Submit the complete application before the studentship deadline.