Identifying a PhD Topic and Supervisor
There are two broad routes to a PhD:
Route A: The first route requires you to identify your own research topic, in consultation with a member of academic staff.
Route B: The second route is for you to apply to study for a PhD on a topic already identified by your supervisory team, perhaps as part of a broader program of research being undertaken by that team. Even here, however, you will be expected to tailor the project to your own research interests and expertise and to set out these ideas in your Research Proposal.
If you are applying via Route A: When seeking to identify a School in which to undertake a PhD, there are a number of questions you need to consider. Most important amongst these are 1) Does your proposed PhD topic fit within the broader research interests of the School? and 2) Does the School include members of staff with specialist expertise in your chosen area of research?
Research in Human and Physical Geography at Queen Mary is organised around four main research themes:
Economy, Development and Social Justice
If you think your proposed PhD fits within the broad interests of one of these themes, the next step is to identify a member of academic staff who may be able to supervise you, and who can help you develop your research proposal and advise you on how to apply. You can do this by viewing the individual research interests listed on our Staff Interests by Research Theme and Current PhD Students, which list the academic staff and students associated with each of the School’s research themes.
If you are applying via Route B: Once you have identified a named topic, the next step is to contact the supervisor to discuss your suitability and to get advice on how to apply. In most cases, you will be expected to tailor the project to your own research interests and expertise and to set out these ideas in your Research Proposal.
For details of funding opportunities available for PhDs commencing September 2013 via both Route A and Route B see: Funded PhDs for 2013-14 Entry
