PhD Studentship: Politics and Mythmaking: Disentangling Myth from Ideology

About the Project

We are inviting applications for a fully funded PhD studentship, as part of a project funded by a Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grant, and based at Queen Mary University of London.

The project – titled Politics and Mythmaking: Disentangling Myth from Ideology – focuses on the concept of political myth, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between the concepts of myth and ideology. The project will apply the concept of myth to the study of contemporary European politics, seeking to analyse political narratives that could be better understood as political myths.

This PhD studentship will focus on a European country case study, examining the role of political myths in contemporary politics.

The successful candidate will conduct in-depth research into political myth(s) within the country case, requiring detailed knowledge of the relevant political context, and a strong understanding of political, social and economic trends.

PhD Focus and Research Questions

The PhD will explore pertinent political myths that affect contemporary European politics, drawing upon the theoretical work of the overall project. The PhD will likely focus upon a small number of political myths within a European country, researching the presence and impact of political myths.

Indicative research questions include:

• What political narratives have most affected contemporary politics in a specific political context?
• How have these narratives affected politics, including political actors and institutions?
• Thinking with the concepts of political myth and ideology, how can these different narratives be conceptualised?

The PhD experience

The PhD will be based at Queen Mary University of London, working within the Department of Sociology, Politics and International Relations (SPIR). SPIR is one of the UK’s leading centres for the research and teaching of politics and IR. It was ranked 7th overall among UK higher education institutions in the 2022 REF.

The successful candidate will work with two co-supervisors: Dr Karl Pike, the project lead, and Professor Tim Bale.

There will be opportunities for research training, and support for presenting research at academic conferences and seminars.

Funding and Support

• Home tuition fees (candidates should be eligible for home fee status).
• Annual maintenance stipend at QMUL rate.
• Access to additional research training.

Candidate Profile

We welcome applications from candidates with a strong academic background in politics, contemporary history, sociology and/or cultural studies.

Essential criteria:

• A Master’s degree (or near completion) in a relevant academic discipline, of at least Merit or equivalent.
• Knowledge of European politics.
• Strong qualitative research skills.
• Proven ability to work independently.

Desirable criteria:

• An interest in interdisciplinary work on politics, society and culture/experience of European politics.

How to Apply

Applications should include:

• A CV and a covering letter outlining your interest in the PhD and how you meet the criteria.
• A brief research statement (max. 1,000 words) explaining your proposed approach to a European country case study examining political myth(s).
• Academic transcripts.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Karl Pike on k.pike@qmul.ac.uk. 

Apply online via the QMUL Application Portal.

To the application question “How do you intend to finance your studies”, please select “I will fund my studies by other means” and write “Leverhulme PhD Grant” in the open text box.

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