PhD Programmes
Find out about studying for a PhD with us.
Overview
Staff associated with the Centre supervise a wide range of PhD students. We have both UK and international students. As a result, CLACS draws together a large, vibrant and international community of PhD scholars working on Latin American and the Caribbean.
Your research
PhD research conducted by our members is wide ranging.
Each PhD student follows a tailored training programme. It reflects the disciplinary/interdisciplinary, thematic and area specific nature of each student’s project.
We run many events and have a wide mailing list. We provide opportunities for PhD students to network with their peers locally, nationally and internationally.
Find out about one of our Postgraduate Training Workshops.
Your background
Students come from a wide range of Social Science and Arts and Humanities disciplines. This ranges from anthropology to business studies, from urban planning to film studies.
We have a research interest in the environment. This means that the Centre also provides an important point of contact for PhD students in the physical, engineering and medical sciences.
These students come from disciplines and topics such as agriculture, civil engineering, health, marine sciences and physical geography.
Workshop content
The workshops involve a range of formal sessions and interactive activities.
They often involve peer learning panels. These include presentations and discussions led by postgraduates who have recently completed fieldwork.
Sessions have included video diaries and live interactive sessions from ‘the field’.
All presenters draw on personal experience and fieldwork case studies.
A workshop pack is also provided. This includes further reading, key contacts and summaries.
This is a stand out workshop, led by first rate academics, that is genuinely leading in Social Science nationally.
Networking
The event is always a great opportunity to network. You can meet other students working on development topics from elsewhere in the north east.
Most years we have participants from other universities in the UK and in Europe.
Feedback from past participants
We've had outstanding feedback from students who've participated in past workshops.
They've highlighted the novel teaching methods and approaches. For example, the use of international students as experts, and students on international field work providing ‘live’ guidance.
They've also emphasised the value of the practical guidance given. This is on the conceptual, methodological and practical challenges students face ‘in the field’.
Students have also valued the opportunity to meet peers who are facing similar challenges.
Speakers and organisers
Speakers and organisers in recent years have included:
- Sara Bennison
- Ximena Cordova
- Peter Kellett
- Patricia Oliart
- Nina Laurie
- Lexy Seedhouse
- Andrea Wilkinson
Locally, they have included:
- Javier Urquizo (Newcastle University)
- Katy Jenkins (Northumbria University)
- Siobhan McGrath (Durham University)
Topics
The sorts of topics covered include:
Preparation
- Where and What is the Field?
- Access and Ethics
Doing fieldwork
- Methodology Planning into Practice Current PG Case Studies
- Supervisors’ tips session
- Doing International Development Fieldwork ‘at Home’
After your fieldwork
- Collaboration and Talking and Writing About Fieldwork Afterwards
- Research and ‘translation’ and Impact
- Leaving the field