The University of Roehampton is pleased to invite applications for a PhD on any aspect at the intersection of Food Studies and Performance Studies. This will be based in the Department of Drama, Theatre and Performance in conjunction with Blanch and Shock, a cooking practice focused on creativity in food and the liveness of cooking and eating. Blanch & Shock produces food for diverse events, cooking in wide-ranging, often non-traditional sites for food and performance. Using food to explore and illustrate ideas, their work is frequently collaborative, incorporating the talents of designers, scientists, historians and gardeners to bring greater richness to the dining experience.
We welcome proposals from applicants with research interests in any area linking performance and food studies, including but not limited to exploring the idea of food as an art practice, food’s function in the expression of ideas, questions around food and the performance of identity, food made in collaboration with other media, and notions of culinary authenticity. The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Joshua Abrams, a Departmental co-supervisor and Mike Knowlden (Co-Founder, Blanch and Shock). The applicant will have an involvement with Roehampton’s Interdisciplinary Food Studies Research Group.
This is one of 50 VC Scholarships offered to strategically important investments in PhD research areas across the university. We are seeking bold, innovative postgraduates with a record of achievement to undertake a broad range of thematic and cross-disciplinary projects. You will be supervised by experienced teams of internationally renowned scholars, enjoying extensive opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of partners and to work within one of our highly acclaimed research networks.
Candidates with experience and interest in collaborative creative/research practices, and cultural sector or social engagement are particularly encouraged. We are seeking applications from highly motivated candidates with the ambition to become research leaders in the field who will contribute to the development of international culturally and socially engaged collaborative research.
Funding is available for UK/EU and International* students at Home/EU rates (tuition fee waiver at £4,052 and stipend at £16,057 for 2015/16) for three years full-time study (or part time equivalent for five years).
Students will benefit from being part of their Departmental research communities and the Graduate School, which sits at the heart of our supportive doctoral community. All doctoral students further benefit from a range of high-quality training opportunities that foster development both within the academy and beyond.
*International recipients of VC Scholarships will only be covered to Home/EU rates, and be expected to make up the difference between Home/EU and International tuition fee rates. Current levels can be found on the University’s Finance Pages.
Please contact individual supervisors, listed above, to discuss application processes.
Application Deadline: Midnight 5 May 2015
- Prospective applicants are advised to contact the relevant faculty member named on the Eligible Project lists (J.Abrams@roehampton.ac.uk) to informally discuss their application before submission.
- Students should then complete a VC Studentships Application Form, in consultation with the Notes of Guidance.
- Applications must be submitted by email to PGRscholarships@roehampton.ac.uk along with:
- Copies of your university transcripts
- Copies of professional qualification certificates (if relevant)
- Test results to demonstrate your proficiency in English (if required, see below)
- Applicants must also arrange for references from academic referees to be sent directly to the above email address by the application deadline (5 May 2015). Applications without supporting references sent directly from referees will not be accepted.
Applications will be considered first by relevant academic departments, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview by the end of May. Each department will then nominate their best candidates to go forward to the University-level competition. Final results will be available at the end of June 2015.
roehamptonfoodandperformancephd 