1. Politics Postgraduate Research Open Day
Welcome to the
Politics Postgraduate Research Open Day
Dr Maria Sobolewska, Politics PhD director

2. Politics
One of the largest groupings of research-active Politics academics in the UK (c. 50 staff)
Part of the School of Social Science; one of the largest and most successful Schools of social science in the country
Just start with the formalities, say the sort of things that I am expected to say at an open day, and then tell you something more about what its ethos, its history and its values

3. Politics
Research Excellence Framework (2014): 97% of our outputs (journal articles, books) rated “world leading”, “internationally excellent” or “internationally recognised”
Ranked 7th among UK Politics departments in ‘research power’ terms
Scored top marks in most recent external evaluation of our teaching

4. Politics
Our research expertise addresses some of the key normative challenges of the 21st century
distribution and redistribution of wealth
the challenges posed by intervention before and after conflict, to ensuring
wider political participation
understanding how states can be responsive to citizens
achieving sustainability.

5. Politics
In keeping with the proud traditions of Manchester, we often take a critical stance, challenging existing orthodoxies and articulating new ways of understanding political problems and issues
we are committed to ensuring equality and diversity in the way we work with each other and with our students.

6. Politics Research Clusters
Comparative Public Policy and Institutions
Critical Global Politics
Democracy and Elections
Global Political Economy
Political Theory (MANCEPT)
All bring staff and PhD students together – regular opportunities for discussion, feedback on work, collaboration, networking, etc

7. Comparative Public Policy and Institutions
Gender and the policy process
European and EU politics
Rhetoric and public policy
Democratic reforms processes
The role of bureaucracy 
Environmental policy and politics

8. Critical Global Politics
What does it mean to live in a secured world?
What does it mean to live in a nation state and do nation states still matter in modern global politics?
What constitutes a legitimate political action?
What is the power and political significance of marginalized and excluded political groups?
Is gender still a powerful political category?

9. Democracy and Elections
Electoral behaviour and political participation
Populism, political disaffection and disengagement
Parties, political representation, campaigns and voter communication off and online
British Election study
The British Election Study (BES) is one of the longest running election studies in the world.
Since 1964, BES has moved to the centres of excellence on elections, to Manchester in 2013.

10. Global Political Economy
Neoliberalism, critiques of capitalism
European and global crises
Environment and development in Africa
Debt and financialisation
The political economy of trade
Gender and institutional change
Corporate power
The rise of philanthrocapitalism

11. Political Theory (MANCEPT)
MANCEPT is one of the largest and strongest groupings in analytical political theory in the UK.
MANCEPT provides an active forum for education, and research in political theory and philosophy, building on a long tradition of international excellence in political theory.
Members' research interests range over philosophical, normative, positive and historical aspects of political theory.

12. Research with Impact
The politics of diversity: immigration, minorities and the radical right
Reform of Greece’s core executive structures
Promoting gender equality in politics and policy
What makes people give their time and money to good causes?

13. The Application Process
Follow guidelines online and suggest supervisors
1st of December for January starters
1st Dec Deadline for NWDTP (ESRC) starting in 2018
18th Dec. invitations to students to revise
All students will be interviewed in December-February
12th Feb. returned NWDTP forms

14. The Application Process
w/c Feb th final ranking then NWDTC meets
SoSS (+3) awards ranked after NWDTC decision (13th march last year)
An alternative is to apply for a 1+3 route
You will need supervisors and a proposal already
The NWDTP deadlines apply: so 1st December

15. The ‘1+3’ Route
If you are a UK or EU student*, you may wish to apply for ‘1+3’ research council funding:
One year research route Masters degree
Three year PhD programme
Our Masters degrees will give you the requisite training in methods to be eligible for research council PhD funding
Mandatory modules include philosophy of social science research; research design; quantitative and qualitative methods – solid grounding for PhD research

16. PhD Research Training
Increasing focus on providing research training with practical/professional relevance outside academia
First year you must enrol in POLI70081 PhD Research Design
You must enrol in POLI70092 PhD Research Skills annually
Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methods
Opportunity to audit MA courses

17. How to find a supervisor
Our website has all staff profiles
Clusters are a useful way to start
Apart from research interests what to look for?
They said they supervise your kind of project
They have an active publication record
YOUR PREFERED SUPERVISOR WITH YOUR PROPOSAL

18. How to write a good PhD proposal
Clarity
Knowledge of literature
Originality (gap in literature)
Feasibility
If you apply 1st December and get shortlisted you might get help from your supervisor

19. Supervision & Progress Support
Co-supervision by two staff members – on average fortnightly meetings
Mid- year review (January) – supervisors and student report on progress
Annual Review (June) – one chapter and research proposal reviewed by 1 member of staff that is not your supervisor; oral examination

20. Examples PhD Research Activity
Brave New World (political theory conference)
Political Perspectives (Politics PhD online, peer reviewed journal)
Other initiatives (SPIRC, womens’ network)

21. Questions????