Liz joined the School of Politics and International Relations in September 2003 as an ESRC-funded PhD student, having undertaken her MA in European Political Economy at the University of Sheffield.
"My research topic is focused on the legitimacy and capacity of European Union governance. I am interested in the inter-dependent relationship between the perceived legitimacy of the EU on the part of the citizens in its' member states, and whether, and in what ways, this affects the EU's ability to do its job effectively.
Since starting my research in the School of Politics and International Relations I have been made to feel most welcome by staff and other research students. There is a thriving scholarly atmosphere and everyone is willing to discuss research issues and exchange ideas. There is an emphasis on personal as well as academic and professional development, allowing research students to build up the skills necessary for a research career. I have had the opportunity to meet and get to know other research students from all over the world, who are researching a diverse range of topics, thereby enabling me to develop my knowledge of politics beyond my individual area of interest. Starting a PhD is challenging and can be difficult at times but the School is there to provide help and support."
PhD
Chris started his doctoral research in the School of Politics and International Relations in September 2006, having been successful in the School’s tuition fee waiver awards competition of that year.
"My research seeks to compare and contrast two models of resistance to neo-liberal restructuring in Latin America. I am particularly interested in examining how alternative political practices can articulate themselves under conditions of uneven transnational capitalist development, and therefore my work tries to draw attention to the various spatial scales (local, national, global) that transformative agendas now need to operate across.
The School of Politics and International Relations offers an excellent environment in which to be a research student. There is a dynamic intellectual atmosphere with institutes and centres such as the CSSGJ and IAPS organizing a wide variety of lectures and seminars which are frequently of interest to students beyond their individual area of concern. I have also found there to be a strong participatory environment within the School, with a strong interaction between staff and students. There is also the potential to augment one’s own learning and development through the attendance of Graduate School training courses that can be of particular use to those wishing to pursue a career in academia."
PhD
Javier started his PhD project in October 2004 thanks to a grant from the Spanish institution Fundación Cajamadrid. He had previously completed an MSc in Applied Social Research at Trinity College Dublin and an MA in International Security Studies at Leicester University. His professional experience includes a role as a consultant in the private sector and three years research experience in the Criminology department of Leicester University.
"My research project deals with post-9/11 European Union counter-terrorism. I am focusing on the policies and institutional aspects of EU decision-making process in this area since September 2001 and analysing to what extent policy-making in this sensitive aspect of member states' internal security has been entrusted to EU institutions.
As a current PhD student in the School of Politics and International Relations, I am finding the experience extremely rewarding. I have benefited from full support during the research of my project, not only from my supervisors but also from other members of staff, who have been very approachable and helpful at all times. The department has also allowed me to improve my teaching skills through the preparation and delivery of tutorials to undergraduate students, and granted me assistance and training throughout the process. In addition, I have also had the opportunity to present and discuss my own research with other PhD students, as well as to further my knowledge through seminars organised by the department featuring high-profile academics and policy-makers. It is however the friendly and multi-cultural atmosphere in the school that makes studying here such an enjoyable personal experience."
PhD
April joined the School of Politics and International Relations in September 2003 with joint funding from the International Office and the School, having finished her MA in Critical Theory with distinction at Nottingham University. April’s PhD research was addressing continuities between the political present and past. Using post-colonial theory in a way which aimed to bring it closer to the field of politics through application to contemporary political discourses, my research investigated the similarities between mainstream development discourse in the UK context, focusing specifically on the promotional literature of the Department for International Development (DFID) as my case study, and colonial discourse as theorized in the work of Homi Bhabha, Gayatri Spivak and Edward Said.
"My experience at Nottingham University over the course of 6 years was rich and rewarding. It was a privilege to work within a diverse department with exposure to a range of fields in the study of politics, an excellent cohort of peers who were always available (life-long friendships will ensue), and an excellent supervisor who saw me through to completion and success. In addition, I was able to take advantage of the growing city of Nottingham, getting involved and partially funding my research through work in the Black Voluntary Sector which helped to both diversify and ground my research in contemporary race relations in the UK. I have successfully graduated from the School of Politics and moved into a permanent position at Lancaster University. While I look forward to a challenging career in the academy, Nottingham will always feel a little bit like home for me. I owe the school of politics a debt of gratitude."