University of Exeter – ESRC South West Doctoral Training Centre Studentship

ESRC South West Doctoral Training Centre Studentship:The Political Economy of Extractive Industries in Central Asia – University of Exeter

The University of Exeter is pleased to be offering up to 25 ESRC funded 1+3 or +3 studentships as part of the South West Doctoral Training Centre for entry in 2014-15. Within the DTC, the College of Social Sciences and International Studies is currently inviting applications for “The Political Economy of Extractive Industries in Central Asia”.

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding. Studentships will be awarded on the basis of merit and strategic fit with the aims of the DTC. For eligible UK/EU students the full time studentship will cover fees and an annual Research Council stipend of approximately £13,726 (2013/2014 rate) for up to three years (+3 PhD award).

This studentship takes the form of a collaborative partnership between Exeter and the London-based civil society organization Global Witness (GW). GW conducts research and campaigns for greater transparency in the business and financial relations of developing states in the global market economy.  It is particularly concerned with extractive industries in Central Asia having released studies on gas in Turkmenistan, copper in Kazakhstan and oil in Azerbaijan.

This study will assess the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) mechanisms for revealing beneficial ownership of the off-shore shell companies that are an integral component of extractive industries.
In addition to being a full time student at the university of Exeter, the student will be placed under a volunteer contract at GW where s/he would receive in-house training and a desk with a computer and phone.  Travel within London and subsistence would be provided.   It would be expected that the student would spend 2-4 days working at GW during the ‘fieldwork’ period of the project (year 2). Periods would be scheduled in the office during the research design (year 1) stage of the project.  In year 3 the student would be expected to spend the vast majority of the time writing up his/her dissertation.

These studentships will be funded by the ESRC and are available to UK nationals and other EU nationals who have resided in the UK for three years prior to commencing the studentship.

Application deadline: 13th February 2014

Read more and apply here.