PhD Studentship in Cultural Histories of Eco-Ableism at University of Exeter 2025/26

The University of Exeter invites applications for a fully funded Humanities PhD project focused on cultural histories of eco-ableism, examining the intersections between disability studies and environmental humanities. This interdisciplinary project will be embedded within the Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions, offering collaboration with national agencies like the UKHSA, National Trust, Forest Research, and the Met Office.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineSeptember 8, 2025
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorUniversity of Exeter
• City to studyExeter
• School to studyUniversity of Exeter
• Course to studyHumanities
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• Full UK or International tuition fees covered

• Annual maintenance allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 rate)

• Access to research partnerships, summer schools, and optional collaboration with the Centre’s Cultural Producer

Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold (or be working toward) a Master’s degree at Merit level or above in a Humanities discipline

• Have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or international equivalent)

• Demonstrate interest or background in disability studies and/or environmental humanities

• Be able to start between November 2025 and March 2026

• Meet English language requirements (if applicable)

• Apply for campus-based study only

Reference information
It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees email their references to [email protected], as we will not make requests for references directly; you must arrange for them to be submitted by 8 September 2025.  Please note that applications with missing documentation will not progress to shortlisting.

References should be in the form of a letter. Referees must email their references to us from their institutional email accounts. We cannot accept references from personal/private email accounts, unless it is a scanned document on institutional headed paper and signed by the referee.

For general information about this studentship and the application process, please contact [email protected].

Interview Dates and Process

It is likely that interviews will be held week commencing 29 September 2025.

Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following by 8 September 2025:

• Research proposal (1500–2000 words, excluding bibliography)

• Cover letter

• 200–500 word statement on alignment with the Centre and supervision team

• CV

• Degree transcripts/certificates

• Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable)

• Two references (at least one academic) – referees must email directly to: [email protected]

Submit all documents (except references and transcripts) as one combined PDF file via the online application form.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You will be asked to submit the following by 8 September 2025:  

·         A Research proposal of 1500-2000 words (exclusive of bibliography);

·         A covering letter outlining your academic interests, prior research and any other experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project;

·         A 200-500 word statement on your fit with the Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions research culture and your prospective supervision team.

·         A CV;

·         Proof of academic track record (transcripts/certificates);

·         Two references, at least one to be an academic reference;

·         Proof of your English language proficiency, if relevant.

Please submit all documents, apart from your references and degree transcripts, as one combined file and submit this against the research proposal section of the application form.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5561 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

For more details, visit University of Exeter Scholarship webpage