PhD Studentship in Leadership on “Leadership for Grand Societal Challenges” at College of Business and Law, UWE Bristol

About the Studentship

Grand societal challenges (GSCs), such as those highlighted in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, require diverse actors to collaborate in unique ways. Coordinated and sustained effort from multiple stakeholders, working across boundaries, are not amenable to received notions of leadership which tend to prioritise authoritative, heroic action by a visionary leader.

Despite the urgent need for a more nuanced understanding of leadership in multi-stakeholder partnerships, the conceptual and empirical understanding of leaders’ identities and practices at the intersection of organisation and society is underdeveloped. Various areas of scholarship have been established that focus on responsible leadership, collective leadership, unleadership, complexity leadership and CEO activism, among others.

This studentship invites project proposals exploring the role of leadership in shaping collective, cross-boundary actions addressing GSCs.

Suggested research questions may include (but are not restricted to):

• What capabilities, attitudes and values inspire leaders to give attention to GSCs in their practice?
• How can leaderly practices be theorised in order to influence sustainable development at a systems level?
• What are the ways to develop responsible leaders who look beyond organisational objectives and address societal outcomes?
• What institutional, political or cultural systems inhibit leaders from actively engaging with GSCs?

We welcome proposals with a qualitative/mixed methods approach, innovative methodologies and multi-/cross-disciplinary insights.

Prospective students will be based in the Bristol Leadership and Change Centre (BLCC).

Students at the College benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from the Doctoral Academy, including extensive professional development programme and research skills training. Find out more at www.uwe.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-study/about-the-graduate-school

Funding details

Studentship is available from 1 October 2023 for 3.5years, subject to satisfactory progress, and includes tax exempt stipend at £17668 per annum. Additionally, full-time home/international tuition fees will be covered.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must have at least 2.1 degree in business management or cognate discipline, and preferably Masters degree (with average programme mark of no less than 65% UK grading scale or international equivalent).

A recognised English language qualification is required. IELTS score of 7.0 overall or equivalent.

How to apply

1. Prepare your research proposal (max 5 pages all-inclusive; font size 11, 1.5-spacing, 2-inch margins) in consultation with the prospective supervisor. You should contact the prospective supervisor with an advanced draft of the proposal to confirm they are willing to support your application.

Use reference number 2324-OCT-FBL01

Documentation: you will need to upload your research proposal, degree certificates and transcripts and proof of English language proficiency as attachments to your application.

References: you will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application. At least one referee must be an academic from the institution that conferred your highest degree. Please ensure your nominated referees are able to provide references within 14 days of your application. 

Further information

Interviews will take place in June. If you have not heard from us by 30 June, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.

For informal discussion about the studentship, please contact Director of Doctoral Research, Dr Paweł Capik at pawel.capik@uwe.ac.uk  

For informal discussion of the research proposal contact Dr Selen Kars at selen.kars@uwe.ac.uk   

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