Overview
The longest-established academic Communication department in the UK, with a vibrant research tradition that produces internationally excellent work.
Summary
Over nearly four decades researchers in Media Studies at Ulster have been at the forefront of the development and growth of the discipline. Ulster pioneered research led teaching in Media Studies in the late 1970s, and since then Ulster researchers have played a key and direct role in the establishment of the first RAE panel in the subject in 1996 and in subsequent research exercises such as RAE 2008.
In its current form, The Centre For Media Research was established in 2004 with a £3.1 million grant under the Support Programme for University Research (SPUR2). Building on this significant success, Ulster research in Media was ranked tenth best in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) In the 2014 REF, the research profile for Media Studies showed that 60% of all work has been judged as being of 'international excellence'; within this proportion, 21% is judged as having the highest accolade: 'world leading'. The unit also scored highly in the Impact section of the REF, with 100% of its impact case studies scored at 4*/3*.
About
Looking forward to the next REF and beyond, The Centre For Media Research at Ulster is supporting and developing the work of a new generation of researchers in three related areas of activity: 1) emerging media, pedagogy and creative industries; 2) critical theory, critical regionalism, public culture and media policy; and, 3) the politics of the image in Ireland and beyond. We welcome applications from students working in these areas (broadly construed).
Applicants should indicate the research area or project they wish to be considered for. Applicants are also encouraged to contact the supervisors associated with particular projects and research areas before applying.
Applicants should be aware of the competitive nature of the funding competition, which attracts a high number of good quality applications each year for a limited number of awards.
Attendance
As a full time student, the expectation is that you will work on your project on a daily basis, either on or off campus as agreed with your supervisor. You will be entitled to 40 days holiday per annum.
Part time students are expected to meet with their supervisors on a regular basis, most usually this would be monthly but this is dependent on the project area.
Comment
Research facilities and groups
- Purpose-built Communication Skills Centre, used for teaching and research, comprising a suite of 12 rooms (6 x 2-room laboratories) all of which are equipped with the latest digital CCTV recording facilities to enable video-recording and analysis of dyadic and group interactional episodes.
- Studio-based CCTV with the full range of sophisticated video-audio equipment, related computer-mediated analysis facilities, and portable video-audio recording equipment. Range of specialist computer-mediated systems to facilitate the fine-grained coding and analysis of verbal and nonverbal interaction.
- Fully-equipped computer laboratories with integrated facilities for the design and production of advanced communication materials, together with sophisticated video-audio recording equipment, and related computer-mediated facilities, which enables fine-grained coding and analysis of verbal and nonverbal interaction.
Students and staff have 24-hour access to a large library of books, journals and IT resources. A team of technicians, library and computing staff provide support and training all year round. Doctoral students have designated rooms with computers, networking and a social space and access to state- of-the art equipment and studios. These facilities and support are available for research fellows and visiting scholars.