English - Research

School Description:
The School comprises more than twenty permanent members of teaching staff, and a substantial number of Postdoctoral Fellows, Teaching Associates, Research Associates and Teaching Assistants. There are over 100 visiting students each year, and about 60 students who are reading for research degrees. In spite of the large numbers of students, the School maintains a strong commitment to small-group teaching and to individually-directed research.

The School of English is committed to leadership in the development of English Studies as a vigorous, multidisciplinary subject. We are a School which attracts postgraduates of the highest quality, which is committed to building on our already vibrant culture of excellence in teaching and research, and which has at its core our firmly-held belief that research and teaching are intimately connected and mutually stimulating.

Applicants must normally have an excellent primary degree, and / or professional qualification, in a relevant discipline from a reputable institution. In addition, PhD applicants should have an excellent Masters degree from a reputable institution. All applicants must have a fluent command of the English language. Since the demand for places is extremely high, these minimum requirements do not guarantee admission. Preference is given to the strongest academic applicants.

Closing Date: 31st March 2023

March 2020 Entry

Doctor in Philosophy, English (Part-Time)
Doctor in Philosophy, English (Full-Time)
Master in Letters in School of English (Part-Time)
Master in Letters in School of English (Full-Time)

September 2020 Entry

Doctor in Philosophy, English (Part-Time)
Doctor in Philosophy, English (Full-Time)
Master in Letters in School of English (Part-Time)
Master in Letters in School of English (Full-Time)

School Description:

The School comprises more than twenty permanent members of teaching staff, and a substantial number of Postdoctoral Fellows, Teaching Associates, Research Associates and Teaching Assistants. There are over 100 visiting students each year, and about 60 students who are reading for research degrees. In spite of the large numbers of students, the School maintains a strong commitment to small-group teaching and to individually-directed research.

The School of English is committed to leadership in the development of English Studies as a vigorous, multidisciplinary subject. We are a School which attracts postgraduates of the highest quality, which is committed to building on our already vibrant culture of excellence in teaching and research, and which has at its core our firmly-held belief that research and teaching are intimately connected and mutually stimulating.

Research Programmes With three well-established taught postgraduate courses and over 60 research students, the School of English has a vibrant research culture, with opportunities in a wide range of subjects and areas. We especially welcome applications in: medieval and renaissance literature, eighteenth-century literature, Anglo-Irish literature and drama, American literature, popular literature, creative writing, Victorian literature, postcolonial literature, Old English, and children's literature. Research opportunities in all areas are considerably enhanced by Trinity Library. As well being a copyright library, it holds manuscripts and special collections that can form the basis of research projects, particularly in the early period, in Anglo-Irish literature and in children's literature.

Our research culture places special emphasis on the individual researcher, though we also encourage forms of research collaboration where this is appropriate. While our research students work closely with their supervisor, their development of independent and original thought is crucial to the research process. When their work is established, research students may provide teaching in the School in areas cognate to their research. All research students take a course in Research Methods.

The School regularly hosts visiting lecturers and writers and organizes international conferences and symposia. Research students are always involved in the organization of these events and frequently will present research papers. The postgraduates also organize weekly research seminars, and all research students are expected to contribute to these.

As well as fostering individual research, we also help students develop a profile that will make them strong candidates for academic posts. Recent Ph.D. graduates hold permanent lectureships and prestigious post-doctoral fellowships at universities in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the US.