PhD Research at the Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change

 

 

 

With more than twenty doctoral students, visiting scholars and postdoctoral researchers from thirteen different countries, the CTCC is one of the world’s leading institutions for graduate level tourism studies. Supervised by an interdisciplinary team of experienced and internationally recognised academics, our doctoral students work on theoretical and applied issues related to tourism, development, contemporary forms of mobility, cultures of modernity, festivity and identity construction, informal economies, image and representations, and the politics of everyday life.

We welcome applications from suitably qualified people to undertake doctoral work in the broad area of tourism and cultural change. If you have a project in mind and wish to be part of this stimulating research environment, please contact Dr Simone Abram (s.abram@leedsmet.ac.uk) for an informal discussion.

 
Research Environment
The CTCC offers a friendly and lively environment for its PhD researchers. You will normally be supervised by two academic members of staff. There are regular seminars to share and discuss issues on research methods, and a reading group to discuss the latest thinking on tourism. Working closely with the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, PhD researchers are encouraged to develop their own themed workshops which are open to other tourism PhD students nationally and internationally. As PhD researchers you will be an active member of the CTCC and will be encouraged to participate in various seminars, workshops and conferences that take place in Leeds and also nationally and internationally. The CTCC holds a monthly Guest Lecture programme with leading experts exploring different facets of the tourism and culture relationship. Also, networking events for PhD researchers are frequently part of our annual research conference. In addition, the University offers regular workshops and seminars for PhD researchers covering particular generic and complementary skills in accordance with the Joint Statement of the UK Research Councils’ Skills Training Requirements for Research Students.

Leeds Metropolitan University library has a significant collection relating to tourism, and is also a United Nations World Tourism Organisation Depository Library.
 
Application
Applying for PhD study at the CTCC involves completing an application form which you can download here.
 
The heart of the application form is your research proposal. This should be a statement of around 2,500 words where you explain what you want to research and how you propose to do it. You should provide a clear statement of the proposed research topic, why it is important and why your proposal has the potential to contribute to knowledge in your area of research. You should also provide an outline of your proposed methodology. Please also include a curriculum vitae with your application and send everything to Dr Simone Abram (s.abram@leedsmet.ac.uk) . We consider each application on its individual merits and ensure that proposed projects match the research interests and expertise of academic members of staff at the CTCC.
 
Language
The language of PhD supervision, writing and examination is English. It is essential that you are fluent in both written and spoken English. The application form therefore asks that you provide evidence of your English language proficiency. The university requires an IELTS score of 7.
 
Funding
If your application is successful, CTCC will support you in your search for doctoral funding, and will alert you to any funding opportunities that come to our attention. The list of potential funding sources here may help you with your search.
 
  • The British Academy
  • The Council for British Research in the Levant
  • Entente Cordiale Scholarships
  • The British Federation of Women Graduates
  • The American Association of University Women
  • Wingate Scholarships
  • Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowships
  • Rotary Educational Programmes
  • The National Maritime Museum
  • The Leverhulme Trust
  • The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust
  • The Lady Davis Fellowship Trust
  • The Anglo-Israel Association
  • Daiwa Scholarships
  • The Anglo-Danish Society