With apologies for cross-posting. Please disseminate to students seeking doctoral funding. The Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies at University of Sunderland seeks outstanding applications for ESRC funded doctoral studentships in the broad area of Media and Society. Part of the ESRC funded NINE (Northern Ireland North East) Doctoral Training Partnership, the Centre is home to world leading research in Communication, Media and Cultural Studies and has a vibrant postgraduate community working on subjects ranging from social interaction and participation, new and social media, film and animation to alt media, and emerging sexual and social cultures. The Centre’s website details current research staff and research areas: http://www.crmcs.sunderland.ac.uk/about-us/ Three different routes are available and we welcome enquiries for all three. These are: • 1+3 awards to complete a research training Masters degree followed by a PhD. • +3 awards for students who have already completed an ESRC-recognised Masters degree that included social science research training of 60 credits or more. • +3.5 awards for students who have completed a Masters degree that did not include social science research training. Students will undertake the PG Certificate in Research Training alongside the PhD. NINE DTP is an exciting new collaboration between seven universities producing world-class research across the full range of social science disciplines. NINE provides an opportunity for students to be part of a community of academic excellence which is shaping the global future of social sciences while engaging with the challenges in our local communities. Full details about the scheme are available here: https://www.ninedtp.ac.uk/ Eligibility Criteria NINE DTP is seeking to recruit candidates with an outstanding academic background and research potential. Candidates applying for a standard +3 doctoral award must also hold or be in the process of completing an ESRC-recognised Masters degree. Doctoral candidates who hold or are completing a Masters degree in a relevant discipline, but which does not include the required research methods training, can apply for a +3.5 award. Applicants must: • have a 1st class or 2:1 honours degree in the social sciences, or have relevant comparable experience. • be a UK/EU resident Current doctoral students are not eligible. Further details about the NINE DTP scheme can be found here: https://www.ninedtp.ac.uk/ . How to apply In the first instance, you should explore the Centre’s webpages and specifically the profiles of research active staff http://www.crmcs.sunderland.ac.uk/research-staff/. The research proposal for application to the DTP grant competition should be prepared in consultation with an identified research supervisor, who should be approached well in advance of the final deadline, and be submitted on the correct forms. Contact your potential supervisor by email, or you can contact Media and Society contact Professor Clarissa Smith clarissa.smith@sunderland.ac.uk<mailto:clarissa.smith@sunderland.ac.uk> to discuss your application. Your application must include: • a research proposal of no more than 2000 words • a current CV • two references • certified transcripts of previous qualifications (translated into English where necessary) are required. The final deadline for submitting a postgraduate application and supporting documentation is Monday 16 January 2017, 5:00pm.