PhD Studentship on Islamist Movements in Exile

The School of Law and Government at Dublin City University invites applications for its four-year fully funded PhD programme, starting in September 2024. Outstanding PhD candidates will be offered fee waiver and a tax-free scholarship of €22,000 per annum for four years. All applicants (including international applicants) will be automatically considered for funded studentships.

The PhD candidate will work on a research project titled Islamist movements in exile. This assesses the evolution of activism of moderate Islamist social movements in exile in Europe since the so-called “Arab Spring”. Following the 2010-11 MENA uprisings, Islamists fell victim to renewed regime repression in many countries and were forced to flee, with high numbers relocating to Turkey, Malaysia, the US, and Europe. Since then, Islamists have worked to rebuilding unity under exile while also trying to settle into their new reality in host societies. This led to the creation of new Islamist diasporas and pressure groups whose impact on European political landscapes and societies has only started to be researched. Significantly, the dimension of forced exile is leading many Islamists to question their pre-held beliefs and belonging, resulting in challenges against established hierarchies, values, and practices. These processes have started to generate internal change, which is likely to considerably reshape Islamist movements, their activism, political mobilization, identity, value system, and engagement with host societies. However, despite their growing presence within European contexts, Islamist diasporic movements remain largely understudied.

Priority will be given to projects that propose to investigate aspects of the above noted dynamics to moderate Islamist movements in European countries such as Ireland, the UK, Italy, France, Belgium, and Turkey; that apply or include a gender dimension; that adopt a comparative approach either between host countries or between host and home country. Candidates whose interest is on MENA Islamist social movements in exile in Southeast Asia are also encouraged to apply.

The School of Law and Government

The School of Law and Government is a research active school with world-class faculty willing to supervise PhD students on topics in their areas of research www.dcu.ie/lawandgovernment/people-law-and-government. DCU regularly ranks among the top "100 under 50" universities as per Times Higher Education and hosts various research centres. The School is committed to embedding a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, and to that end welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. 

How to apply

Applications should be sent to: james.gallen@dcu.ie by 17:00 GMT on 7 May, and consist of 1) a full CV with contact details for 2 referees, 2) the grades/full transcripts achieved in Masters degree with copies of transcripts, 3) a research proposal (c. 2-3,000 words). Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview in May. Successful candidates will then be required to apply formally to be admitted as PhD students; may also need to show proficiency in the English language; will begin their studies in September 2024 and will be expected to be resident in Dublin for the duration of the programme.

Prospective applicants may make informal contact with the supervisory panel Dr Erika Biagini (Erika.biagini@dcu.ie) and Dr Paola Rivetti (Paola.rivetti@dcu.ie) in advance of an application.

You can find additional information about doing a PhD in DCU at the faculty page: https://www.dcu.ie/humanities-and-social-sciences/doctoral-studies-hub

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