Scholarships for postgraduate research students

The School of Humanities at York St John University invites expressions of interest from experienced creative practitioners, writers, scholars and interdisciplinary researchers seeking to undertake a PhD by Published or Creative Works.

We are offering opportunities for three candidates whose existing body of published or publicly disseminated work aligns with the research strengths of Creative Writing and Literature at York St John University, including, but not limited to, the Hauntology and Spectrality Research Group, the Research Unit for the Study of Satire, the Interdisciplinary Witches Research Group, the public engagement with literature, and the literary industries.

The opportunities are open to applicants pursuing a PhD by Published or Creative Work through:

• Creative Practice (including fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, hybrid forms, digital storytelling, performance writing, screenwriting, or related creative outputs); or
• Critical and Scholarly Research (including literary criticism, cultural studies, media studies, hauntology and spectrality, heritage studies, adaptation studies, contemporary humanities research, and interdisciplinary work).

We welcome applications from researchers whose published work explores questions of memory, absence, haunting, place, archives, folklore, ecological crisis, cultural memory, the uncanny, spectral futures, lost histories, marginal voices, and the persistence of the past in contemporary culture.

The PhD by Published or Creative Works route is designed for candidates who have already produced a substantial and coherent body of work and wish to develop a critical framework that demonstrates its original contribution to knowledge.

Applicants should demonstrate how their published outputs collectively contribute to one or more significant research questions, such as, but not limited to:

• How do literary and creative practices engage with experiences of haunting, absence and cultural memory?
• In what ways do creative works reveal suppressed, forgotten or marginalised histories?
• How does place function as a site of spectral encounter and cultural meaning?
• What can contemporary creative practice contribute to debates around heritage and identity?
• How do literary and cultural texts negotiate relationships between past, present and future?

Applicants may propose alternative research questions that clearly align with the expertise of the research group and supervisory team.

 The PhD by Published or Creative Work consists of:

• A substantial body of published creative and/or critical work;
• An exegesis that situates the work within relevant academic, theoretical and professional contexts;
• Reflection upon methods, contribution to knowledge, originality and impact.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate a coherent research trajectory across their publications and articulate how the accompanying critical submission will frame and evaluate that contribution.

Successful applicants must have an honours degree (2:1 or above) and a postgraduate master's degree from a UK HEI, or an internationally recognised equivalent. Applicants will need to have completed and received any award needed for entry criteria prior to start date. A provisional grade will not be permitted. Applicants must not be registered on a doctorate elsewhere or be in a position to submit for a doctorate by research or other professional doctorate.

We welcome applications from candidates with lived experience reflective of the research context of this project and/or encourage candidates from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in postgraduate study. We particularly welcome applications from individuals working across academic, creative, cultural and independent research contexts.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to discuss the suitability of their publications for the PhD by Published or Creative Work route and the development of an appropriate critical commentary.

Applicants should also provide:

• Application Form
• CV
• List of all publications
• List of outputs to be assessed
• A 500-word abstract.

Successful applicants will join a vibrant research environment within Creative Writing and Literature at York St John University, with supervision drawn from expertise in:

• Hauntology and Spectrality Studies;
• Creative Writing;
• Folk Horror Studies;
• Gothic and Weird Fiction;
• Literary geographies;
• Witchcraft in literature;
• Satire Studies;
• Contemporary Literature;
• Environmental Humanities
• Public Humanities;
• Cultural Memory Studies;
• Nineteenth Century Literature;
• American Literature

This scholarship will cover UK tuition fees for the duration of the PhD (£2,619 for 2026-27 academic year) but does not include a stipend. You may be eligible for a doctoral loan to cover living expenses through Student Finance England. More information can be found on the Government web pages: Doctoral Loan: Overview - GOV.UK.

Any applicants assessed as international for fee purposes would be required to fund the difference between UK and international tuition fees. 

This fee scholarship is open to candidates interested in pursuing a PhD by Published or Creative Work. The studentship start date is 1 February 2027. The funding is available for a maximum of 24 months.

Applications should be made by following the YSJU admission process.

To submit an application, please use the link below.

Apply for studentship

For admissions queries, please contact PGR Admissions at pgr.admissions@yorksj.ac.uk

More information about PhD by Published or Creative work can be found on our Doctor of Philosophy (by Published Work) page below.

Visit PhD by Published Work

We are seeking applications to join the Hughes group at York St John University from candidates interested in pursuing PhD research into the diagnosis and biology of pancreatic cancer. The project objectives are to identify cancer-specific microRNAs from exosomes collected from organoid cultures of pancreatic tissues, to assess the functional roles of these microRNAs in pancreatic cancer cells, and to investigate expression patterns of these microRNAs in various clinical samples with a view to defining a diagnostic panel for pancreatic cancer.

The project is supported by generous funding from the Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance and York St John University, and will involve collaborations across Yorkshire, in particular with York Hospital, the University of Hull, and the University of Leeds. The post will be based at the York St John campus in central York within the biomedical research department, and will start on 1 February 2027.

This studentship will be for 3 years and covers academic fees (for home fee status students only; £5,238 full time for 2026-27 academic year), a yearly stipend (in line with UKRI rates of £21,805 per year for 2026-27), and experimental costs.

Successful applicants must have an honours degree (2:1 or above) and a postgraduate master's degree from a UK HEI, or an internationally recognised equivalent. The degree must be in a discipline that is relevant to the research. Applicants will need to have completed and received any award needed for entry criteria prior to start date. A provisional grade will not be permitted.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate previous lab-based research experience and excellent organisational and inter-personal skills.

We welcome applications from candidates with lived experience reflective of the research context of this project and/or encourage candidates from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in postgraduate study.

Enquiries prior to application are encouraged; contact Prof Thomas Hughes on t.hughes@yorksj.ac.uk

Application should be made by following the YSJU admission process, including submission of a CV that highlights previous research experience and contains a statement explaining how the candidate's background makes them suitable for the post.

To submit an application, please use the link below.

Apply for studentship

A research proposal is not required. Please upload a word document that states ‘proposal not required’. 

For admissions queries, please contact PGR Admissions at pgr.admissions@yorksj.ac.uk

It would be an advantage if the researcher has understanding and experience of pedagogy, AI and programming and is excited to work collaboratively with pupils (primary in the first instance, then progressing to secondary), teachers, school leaders, industry experts and university researchers. The studentship will involve working closely with the co-founders of the Institute of AI Education (operational name of the AI Education Group Ltd).
 
The research aims to have a positive impact by:

• Broad Social Impact: transforming how young people understand and engage with artificial intelligence, ensuring the next generation are empowered as ethical innovators, not just consumers, of emerging technologies.
• Focus on Educational Equity: addressing inequalities in AI literacy education and making high-quality, inclusive and engaging units of work accessible to all learners, regardless of background or prior attainment.
• Policy and Practice: informing national educational policy and classroom practice with robust evidence on how to integrate AI literacy and critical thinking skills throughout the curriculum in meaningful and sustainable ways.
• Teacher and School Empowerment: developing practical, research-informed frameworks, resources and high-quality training to support teachers, schools and education leaders to embed AI literacy meaningfully across all subjects and phases.
• Sustainable and Ethical Innovation: advancing ethical and environmentally conscious approaches to AI literacy education, fostering responsible innovation in young learners.
• Workforce, Future Skills and Careers: bridging the gap between education and industry, equipping students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a future shaped by AI and technology.

The primary objective of this PhD project is to investigate how artificial intelligence (AI) education can be effectively embedded within the UK school system to empower young people as ethical users of AI technologies. The research will explore curriculum design, teacher professional development, learner outcomes and whole-school approaches to AI literacy and computational thinking. The project aims to generate evidence-informed frameworks and strategies that support equitable, sustainable and impactful AI education at scale.

Specifically:

• Examine current practices and gaps in AI education across primary and secondary schools.
• Co-design and evaluate interventions that integrate AI literacy and ethics into the existing curriculum.
• Investigate the impact of AI education on students’ knowledge, creativity, confidence and aspirations.
• Develop a practical model for whole-school implementation of AI education, including leadership and teacher training.
• Contribute to national and international discourse around policy, pedagogy and practice in AI education.

The following are indicative of potential research questions:

• What pedagogical approaches are most effective for teaching AI concepts to children and young people across different key stages?
• How can schools implement a whole-school strategy for AI literacy education that aligns with curriculum goals, teacher training needs and ethical AI principles?
• What impact does early exposure to AI education have on students’ digital agency, critical thinking and career aspirations, especially amongst underrepresented groups?
• How can educators be supported to develop the confidence, skills and resources required to deliver high-quality AI literacy education?
• What ethical, environmental and societal considerations should underpin the design and delivery of AI literacy education in schools?

Methodology

The research will adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data to develop a comprehensive understanding of effective AI education practices in schools. The candidate will undertake:

• A literature review to map existing research, policy and practice in AI education
• Case studies of schools implementing AI education initiatives, using interviews, observations and existing document analysis
• Co-design of workshops with teachers, pupils and education leaders to develop and trial new approaches
• Pre- and post-intervention surveys to measure changes in attitudes, knowledge and confidence among pupils and staff
• Thematic and statistical analysis to evaluate impact and generate insights that inform a scalable framework for AI literacy education

The methodology will be iterative and participatory, ensuring that findings are grounded in real-world practice and responsive to the needs of educators and learners.

Criteria

Successful applicants should have a postgraduate master's degree from a UK HEI. The degree must be in a discipline that is relevant to the research. This studentship is not open to international students. Applicants will need to have completed and received any award needed for entry criteria prior to start date. A provisional grade will not be permitted.

The Institute of AI Education (AI Education Group Ltd) welcome applications from candidates with lived experience reflective of the research context of this project and/or encourage candidates from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in postgraduate study.

Applicants are required to provide a research proposal in the area identified above OR a personal statement outlining interest in this research and strategies to progress this. This should be around 1500 words and will be evaluated in regard to its originality, impact, rigour, feasibility, and benefits to the sponsor. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. This is an opportunity to demonstrate understanding of the topic and research design, as well as provide us with an opportunity to assess alignment between the proposed work and the overall aims for the scholarship. 

This scholarship will cover UK tuition fees for the duration of the PhD (£5,238 per year for the 26-27 academic year full time, and £2,619 part time) but does not include a stipend. You may be eligible for a doctoral loan to cover living expenses through Student Finance England. More information can be found on the Government web pages: Doctoral Loan: Overview.

This fee scholarship is open to candidates interested in pursuing a PhD either full time over three years or part time over 6 years starting on 1 February 2026.

• Professor Tom Dobson, Professor of Education, School of Education, Language and Psychology: t.dobson@yorksj.ac.uk
• Dr Theocaris Kyriacou, Associate Professor, York Business School:  t.kyriacou@yorksj.ac.uk
• Dr Beth Lane, Institute of AI Educatio:, info@instituteofaieducation.com

Please contact Dr Beth Lane for any questions relating the research and scholarship.

Application should be made by following the York St John University admission process. To submit an application, please use the link below.

Apply for studentship

For admissions queries, please contact pgr.admissions@yorksj.ac.uk.

Please submit a research proposal of up to 1,500 words, with reference to the enquiry questions included here, and how you would focus and approach researching these questions. Please note that CVs will not be accepted in place of the application form.