Calls for Expressions of Interest (EOI) in AHRC-funded PhD scholarships in Race, Gender, Sexuality and Identity at Manchester Metropolitan University
The Histories of RGSI (Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Identity) research group welcomes expressions of interest from talented researchers who are interested in applying to the PhD programmes in History or in Philosophy at Manchester Met.
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities will allocate three fully-funded Arts and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Landscape Awards, for PhD study beginning in September 2026. This funding is open to all disciplinary areas within the AHRC but our research group is looking to support one applicant in History and one in Philosophy. You must have a distinction in a masters degree. The awards are open to both UK home and international applicants.
Histories of RGSI is an interdisciplinary research group spanning a wide range of intellectual traditions, topics and approaches, all of which are connected broadly to the theme of identity. We have the following thematic priorities, with researchers primarily working on:
- Disability studies
- Gender and sexuality, including queer and feminist approaches
- Race, racism and racialisation
- Religion, faith, family and kinship
- Subcultures and community histories
- The history of philosophy, identity, and political ideas
We are open to any application which identifies a primary supervisor within the research group. We have 20 primary members and 20 affiliate members, who are all listed on our website. We have particular expertise in all the above areas, and in British, German, French, American, and Chinese history. Our historical expertise runs from the medieval period to the present day.
Our strengths in philosophy lie especially in sex and gender, critical approaches, plant philosophy, late 19th- and 20th-century German Philosophy, Contemporary French Philosophy, 19th- and 20th-century European Philosophy, Existentialism and in Phenomenology.
The application process at MMU means that each applicant must first approach their preferred research group. We will rank applicants and then forward only one applicant in each subject area. Please be in touch in November or December 2025 either with one of the group leads, or directly with your preferred potential supervisor. Please include details on your proposed research topic. The formal deadline for applications, which must include a 2000 word research proposal, is then 9 February 2026.
Histories of RGSI co-leads:
Dr Craig Grifiths, c.griffiths@mmu.ac.uk
Dr Anne-Marie-McCallion, A.Mccallion@mmu.ac.uk
Dr Jonathan Spangler, j.spangler@mmu.ac.uk
This funding will be continued in subsequent years. Please feel free to contact us if you are considering an application in 2027.
https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-study/phd/funding/doctoral-landscape-awards
https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-study/phd/how-to-apply
The above information is also available in a PDF. Correct as of 7 November 2025.