PhD Studentship: Participative Rights Surrounding Mass Graves

Faculty Name: Faculty of Media & Communications

Funding amount: £18,622 maintenance grant per annum

Lead Supervisor name: Prof Melanie Klinkner

Project description

Family participation has the potential to provide significant benefit to the investigation (by revealing relevant lines of inquiry) as well as to the family members themselves. At the same time, the safety of family members participating in the investigation may place some additional confidentiality, reporting and data limitations on the investigation. However, participatory rights of the next of kin may not be available to all, leading families of missing persons to proactively engage in search efforts either on their own (a phenomenon known as citizen-forensics) or by joining NGOs that assist with scientific, investigative work. 

A growing body of literature on digital evidence and documentation technology for human rights fact-finding efforts has emerged to safeguard the probative value of such efforts before a court of law. But the question to be addressed remains: how can the structural divide between a rule-of-law based, authoritative, independent investigative approach with participatory rights and the ‘citizen-forensics’ approach be effectively closed?

What does the funded studentship include? 

A fully-funded Studentship includes a maintenance grant of £18,622 per year to contribute towards living expenses during the course of your research, as well as a fee waiver for 36 months. Associated costs, such as for fieldwork and conference attendance, will also be met under the Studentship. 

Eligibility criteria 

The BU PhD and MRes Studentships are open to UK, EU and International students. Candidates for a PhD Studentship should demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 4 years and must demonstrate: 

• Outstanding academic potential as measured normally by either a 1st class honours degree (or equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent
• An IELTS (Academic) score of 7.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.5 in each component, or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language and this must be evidenced at point of application. 

Additional Eligibility: 

In addition to satisfying minimum entry criteria, BU will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful completion. 

Applicants will be asked to submit an online application form and a proposal (approximately 1500 words) outlining their understanding of the project for which they are applying, the approach they would envisage taking and what qualities they will bring to the research community.

Please note:

• current BU Doctoral students are not eligible to apply for a Studentship
• current MRes/MPhil students can apply, subject to satisfactory completion of their Research Degree prior to being able to take up the award
• PhD Studentships cannot be used to support BU staff to complete doctoral programmes. 

Closing date: The closing date for applications is 05/05/2024

For further information on how to apply click the ‘Apply’ button above or email pgradmissions@bournemouth.ac.uk

Apply now: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/study/courses/phd-studentship-participative-rights-surrounding-mass-graves?utm_source=studentship-2024&utm_medium=jobs-ac-uk&utm_campaign=external-listing&utm_term=fmc-phd

Advert information