The PhD in Political Theory

The Centre for Political Thought is home to an intellectually vibrant and supportive network of PhD students who benefit from being teaching colleagues as well as fellow researchers. Students pursue a range of research interests, and have excellent facilities in which to discuss topics, texts and thinkers. Theory students are part of a cohort of postgraduate researchers doing work in other research clusters and have ample opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary work. There are many opportunities to develop professionally by participating in conferences, workshops, and the weekly reading group meetings. Doctoral students in political theory also benefit from frequent and supportive contact with the fantastic academic staff here at Exeter. 

All PhD students have the opportunity to take on paid employment as teaching assistants during their time at Exeter.

The Centre for Political Thought at Exeter has an outstanding record for the professional placement of completed PhDs.

Programme for the SPSPA Annual PGR Conference

Download as PDF: Programme SPSPA PGR Annual Conference

3rd of May 2023 (Amory Building C417)

9.00-9.30 Keynote speech

Natalie Ohana (University of Exeter)

9.40-11.00 Panel 1 Decolonising research methodologies - Chair: Sophia Similetidou

Caitlin Kight (University of Exeter) - Decolonizing the mind begins with studying the self: a reflective approach to support academics in decolonizing education and research

Robynne Grant-Jepps (University of Bristol) - Exploring the decolonial potential of co-production when planning a research project in post-apartheid South Africa

Lena Prouchet (University of Exeter) - Decolonising the approach to success and failure in development projects

11.10-12.30 Panel 2 The decolonial lens in understanding global political economy - Chair: Melis Kirtilli

Xinpei Zhou & Smith Njumbe (Fudan University) - A Historical Approach to African Monetary Integration

Andrew Wainwright (University of Bath) - Climate-Just Debt Swaps in addressing the triple crisis

Wenjun Cheng & Yu Zheng (Fudan University) - China’s Role in the African Rail Infrastructure: A Comparison with Colonial Railways

12.30-14.00 Lunch

14.00-15.30 Roundtable 1 Discussing Islam and Anarchism - Chair: Yazid Benhadda

Mohammed Abdou (Cornell University) with Melis Kirtilli and Alex Prichard (University of Exeter)

15.40-17.10 Panel 3 Identity, Knowledge and Power

Maria Fernanda Cordova (University of Kassel) - The Construction of Indigenous Identities - as Beneficiaries of Development - in the Bolivian Andes

Abdelmounaim Fanidi (EHESS Paris) - Decolonising knowledge: a critique of Bled Makhzen/Bled Siba dichotomy during the French Protectorate in Morocco (1912-1956)

Mónica Sánchez Hernández (University of Bristol) - Gendabicod: Decolonial Research Methods of Reciprocity to challenge Academic Extractivism

19.00 Dinner at Reed Hall

4th of May 2023

10.00-11.30 Workshop 1 Decolonising Social Sciences Teaching and Curriculum (at Knightley Building Boardroom and Meeting room)

with Ellie Cook and Caitlin Kight

11.45-13.15 Workshop 2 Decolonising Social Sciences Research (at Knightley Building Boardroom and Meeting room)

with Farah Mihlar and Beverley Loke

13.15-14.30 Lunch

14.30-16.00 Panel 4 (at Amory Building C417)

Farah Karim (University of Exeter) - ‘The West’ seen by ‘The Other’: The Diachronic Discursive Construction of Identity in Iranian and Saudi Schoolbooks

Lara Fricke (University of Exeter) - How the Emotions of Memory Obstruct Decolonisation: The Case Study of Germany’s Denial of the Colonised Palestinian

Yazid Benhadda (University of Exeter) - Constructing the North African immigrant as “problem” in colonial France

5th of May 2023

9.45-11.30 Workshop 3 Transcultural modernities (at Knightley Building Conference Room)

Professor Regenia Gagnier (University of Exeter) - Decolonizing Neoliberalism

Professor Nan Zhang (Fudan University, Shanghai) - Aesthetic Sources of Liberal Thinking

15.00-17.00 Roundtable 2 Free Speech: Why the obsession? (at Phoenix Exeter)

with Ross Carroll (University of Exeter) and Bice Maiguashca (University of Exeter)

Application for PhD Studentships starting in September 2023 are now opened, the deadline for submissions is 16 January.

Applicants for the AHRC DTP should have two named supervisors from two separate institutions members of the DTP.

For some more info see the annual Q&A sessions to support applicants. You should sign up via EventBrite:

Workshop: Finalising your Application

Monday 9 January 12.30-14.30 GMT

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ahrc-sww-dtp-applications-workshop-2-completing-your-application-tickets-461718090237

Up to 48 fully-funded PhD studentships are available for entry in September 2023 for the AHRC South West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership. The SWW DTP is the main source of government PhD funding for Humanities, Arts and qualitative Social Science students who want to study at Exeter. Applications open on Monday 21 November and close on Monday 16 January 2023. Further information can be found on SWWDTP Prospective Students webpages.

There are up to 39 student-led awards available and 9 pre-selected Collaborative Doctoral Awards. For student-led projects, applicants must secure agreement in advance of submission from two supervisors to supervise their project. There is a very strong preference for joint-supervision across two of the DTP institutions. Supervisors can be identified via the DTP 'Find a Supervisor' portal (be please note this is not comprehensive, so you may also have to search department webpages).

Please see the Exeter PhD funding pages for information on applying for a SWWDTP studentship to study at Exeter.

Applications for PhD Studentships for October 2023 now open

The closing date for applications to all our partner institutions is 12.00 (Noon) GMT Friday 13th January 2023.

The SWDTP supports doctoral students by developing not only their research skills, but by offering a wide range of training, placements, activities and events as well. We work in a collaborative way across the five institutions and have SWDTP students that will also form part of your cohort. The SWDTP is funded by the Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC). We have 45 fully-funded studentships from the ESRC available through twelve disciplinary pathways. These span the social sciences and five innovative interdisciplinary pathways. This offers students the broadest possible approach to their studies with us.

Further information on the application here.

General information on HASS funding and awards can be found here.

The following HASS fully-funded studentships will be available for September 2023 entry:

1. Home studentships – up to 4 awards available: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=4637

2. International studentships - up to 3 awards available. These now include an additional allowance of up to £3000 for visa fees and health surcharge costs. 

3. Postgraduate Teaching Assistant Studentship – open only to CAHRT, SPSPA and HaSS Cornwall applicants.