University of Stirling

The University of Stirling, Scotland is pleased to invite applications for fully funded PhD opportunities within the IAS Creative Industries Cluster.  Successful candidates will join the Division of Communications, Media and Culture, an internationally renowned centre for research and teaching across screen studies, digital media, creative industries, journalism, public relations and media and cultural policy. 

We welcome research projects for conventional or practice-based PhDs in any of the following interdisciplinary areas:

• Regional innovation, business models, and economic development: projects may focus on the role of local film, TV, social media and/or video game production in regional development; the economic, business and strategic impacts of public investment in the film and TV sector in Stirling and Clackmannanshire region or elsewhere in Scotland; or creative skills development, education, and training in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire region or elsewhere in Scotland.
  
• Sustainable work and labour practices: projects may focus on quality and inclusive work and labour practices at the interface between local/national and transnational creative industries; or the roles of non-traditional employment relationships (e.g., freelance and self-employment), labour organisations (e.g., unions and professional associations), or newer forms of labour (e.g., social media content creation) in creative industries.
  
• Social inclusion and cultural representation: projects may focus on strategies to increase diversity and inclusion in the media industries; the relationship between creative production and representation; or the impact of location-based creative production on the cultural presence and material sustainability of built and natural heritage.
  

Funding: Studentship funding awards provide full fees and a stipend set at the UKRI minimum annual award for 2025/26 (which for 2024/25 is £4,786 and £19,237 respectively). A number of fee waivers are available for international students, and a contribution to stipends for those who have fees covered. In addition, there is funding available to support research training requirements. The funded period for all awards is 3 years FTE (36 months).

Candidate profile: Ideal candidates will have a background in media, communications, film and television studies, cultural policy, cultural studies, cultural geography, media economics, media management, or related fields. A strong academic record is essential, with a master’s degree (preferably at Merit or higher), or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Application deadline: 24 March 2025

Full project and application details: https://www.stir.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/institute-for-advanced-studies-studentships/creative-industries/

For any enquiries, please contact the Co-leads of the Creative Industries Research Cluster Dr Errol Salamon (errol.salamon@stir.ac.uk) and Professor Dario Sinforiani (dario.sinforiani@stir.ac.uk).