ReMap Studentship

Description

Applications are open for a fully funded studentship in the Department of Music at the University of Liverpool, held in collaboration with the Liverpool City Region Music Board, to commence study full or part time from 1st October 2024.

Published in April 2024, the Liverpool City Region Music Board ReMap report offers a comprehensive exploration into the creative and professional experiences of Black music makers and practitioners in the Liverpool City Region.

ReMap presents research conducted between 2021 and 2023 that engaged fifty-seven Black people through interviews, surveys, and focus groups. The report combines the results of each research method to provide a detailed overview of how Black individuals contribute to and participate in the region’s music sector, along with the challenges they encounter. Covering topics such as accessibility, representation, equality, and regional dynamics, the ReMap report offers valuable insights for stakeholders at both local and national level.

With 16 key findings and 22 recommendations, the ReMap report serves as a catalyst for change within the Liverpool City Region music sector. You can access the full report here.

A collaboration between Liverpool City Region Music Board and the Institute of Popular Music at the University of Liverpool, the funding will support three years of study for a successful UK applicant or those who would be classed as ‘Home’ for fees purposes. Applicants should submit a research proposal that meets the following criteria:

  • Use one or several of the findings/recommendations in the ReMap report as the foundation for the research proposal;
  • Propose research area(s) and method(s) to evaluate changes in the LCR music sector for Black musicians and industry professionals between 2024 and 2027;
  • Deepens academic and wider industry understanding of the experiences of Black people working in the Liverpool City Region and the UK’s music industries.    

Applicants should normally hold an MA (or equivalent), preferably with distinction, in popular music studies or a cognate field such as media studies/communication, musicology, ethnomusicology, anthropology or sociology. Professional experience may be seen as equivalent to an MA, at the discretion of the selection committee. The studentship is open to UK students only who will receive a stipend towards living expenses at the UKRI rate (currently £19,237 per year) in addition to tuition fees. The holder of the award will be expected to reside in the Liverpool City Region and participate in the research culture of the Department of Music and its Institute of Popular Music. The main supervisor would be Dr Mathew Flynn, author of the ReMap report.

The ReMap studentship comes with an expected commitment of up to 150 hours per year of research assistance work, or work on behalf of the Music Board, and holders are to take a full role in their department(s) and the School more broadly, including attending staff meetings as required, participating in research activities, and undertaking training as necessary. All research students are encouraged to gain a qualification in teaching in Higher Education during their studies, and will be offered relevant teaching opportunities.

Eligibility and How to Apply

To apply for this studentship, you must submit an online application to the PhD programme in Music via How to apply for a PhD - University of Liverpool, by 5pm on Monday 29 July. In the relevant section of the application form that asks about funding, please include that you will be applying to the ‘ReMap Studentship (Department of Music)’.

To support your application, you will need to submit:

  • BA & MA award certificates (if you do not have an MA, please include evidence of relevant professional experience which will be considered at the discretion of the review panel)
  • BA & MA transcripts
  • Two references (ideally both should be academic references)
  • CV - up to 2 pages, including the contact details for two references
  • Passport
  • Personal Statement - maximum 2 pages
  • Research Proposal - 1500-2000 words

To discuss the content of your proposal, please contact Head of Department Professor Lisa Colton (lisa.colton@liverpool.ac.uk). If you require any assistance with the application process, or wish to include any additional documents, please contact School of the Arts PGR Team on pgarts@liverpool.ac.uk.

The School of the Arts recognises that women and ethnic minority communities are currently under-represented on its doctoral programmes and aims to broaden the perspectives and skills represented within its five departments. As part of our initiatives to achieve this aim, we strongly encourage women, Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority applicants. The School actively engages with the University’s commitment to diversity and equality, holding a Bronze Athena Swan award and supporting activity under Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter.

To find out more about research at the University of Liverpool Department of Music click here.