Antonia Vaughan
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC +3)
University of Bath, Department of Politics, Language and International StudiesStart date: January 2020
Research topic: The alt-right online during the United States’ Presidential Election 2020.
My PhD is looking at the communities of the alt-right online, particularly on the platforms of Reddit and Voat. Using a mixed-methods methodology, the networks and communication methods of the communities will be analysed to show how they operate during a Presidential Election. The construction of identity and community will also be considered.
Research supervisors: Professor Anna Bull, Dr Aurelien Mondon
Email: acw66@bath.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/antoniacvaughan
Ditte Madsen
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Politics (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International StudiesStart date: September 2015
Research topic: Teenage pregnancy and social inclusion in Cornwall
Research supervisors: Dr Dario Castiglione
Email: dtm207@exeter.ac.uk
Eleanor Wolff
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, School of Sociology, Politics and International StudiesStart date: September 2018
Research topic: How climate justice should affect international environmental law: the case for establishing an International Court for Climate Change
Research supervisors: Dr Pieraccini, Dr Dietzel
Email: nn18021@bristol.ac.uk
Ellen Martin
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies (SPAIS)Start date: October 2020
Research topic: (Mis)representing the Military, War and Violence: A Visual and Discursive Analysis of the British Army’s Self-Representation on Social Media
My research focuses on the dynamics of military outreach in Britain and its effects on the normalisation of military power, war and violence in society. In particular, I wish to analyse how the military is using social media and other types of digital technology to infiltrate everyday, domestic spaces. In doing so, my aim is to ensure greater accountability for the moral implications of military action that military outreach obscures.
Research supervisors: Professor Tim Edmunds, Dr Chris Rossdale
Email: vp20729@bristol.ac.uk / e.martin1997@yahoo.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ellen-martin-40a3b6201
Emily Anne Marsay
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies
University of Exeter, School of Social Sciences and International StudiesStart date: September 2017
Research topic: The Quintuple Crisis? Addressing the missing crisis of care in the Alternative Development Strategies for a post-2015 era.
My research will evaluate the impact of different international development projects which aim to empower women and girls. I will focus on the role of unpaid care work in the achievement of development outcomes, and on the consequences that empowerment projects may have for the provision of care. I will conduct a comparative ethnography that aims to reflect the knowledge and the systems of meaning in the lives of a community in Eastern Kenya. I hope to construct a colourful picture of the myriad factors that contribute to women’s self-perceived empowerment and autonomy, including social interaction, structural constraints, culture and relationships.
Research supervisors: Dr Duncan Russel, Dr Sarah Cooper
Professional memberships/Positions held: University of Exeter Gender Research Network
Email: em390@exeter.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-marsay-3657a395/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/emilymarsay
Flo Bremner
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bath, Department of Politics, Language and International StudiesStart date: October 2019
Research topic: Far Right Discourse in the Mainstream
Research supervisors: Aurelien Mondon, Professor Anna Bull
Email: fb553@bath.ac.uk
Francesca Farmer
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Politics (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International StudiesStart date: September 2016
Research topic: Cybercrime vs hacktivism: do we need a differentiated regulatory approach?
The thesis aims to delineate and categorise different forms of political hacktivism by researching motivations behind cyber-attacks. It will then investigate whether a specific policy approach should accommodate political hacktivism at the national level. The primary methods used in this study will be qualitative. Interviews and questionnaires with key stakeholders will be the main data source with anonymous online surveys acting as a secondary data source for harder to reach participants. A virtual ethnography of the hacktivists behaviours on forums will also be undertaken in order to research the motivations behind hacktivism.
Research supervisors: Professor Alison Harcourt, Professor Oliver James
Email: ff244@exeter.ac.uk
George Boss
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC +3)
University of Bristol, School of Sociology, Politics and International StudiesStart date: September 2017
Research topic: Developing a Marxian theory of historically-created need, and exploring its significance.
My research explores the differing conceptions of human need that have emerged from the work of Marx, and in the Marxist canon. By developing a distinctive new perspective on human need, I will be seeking to address problems in the contemporary philosophy of needs, as well as identifying applications.
Research supervisors: Professor Terrell Carver, Dr Jonathan Floyd
Email: George.boss@bristol.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeboss/
Greg Stride
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International StudiesStart date: September 2018
Research topic: Public confidence in the electoral processes of the United Kingdom
Do people in the UK trust that their elections are free and fair? My research is on public attitudes towards electoral integrity and election administration in the UK. For the MRes thesis I am working on determining the relationship between mandatory Voter ID requirements in polling stations and confidence in the electoral process.
Research supervisors: Professor Susan Banducci
Email: gs485@exeter.ac.uk
Hannah Willis
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Politics (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International StudiesStart date: September 2016
Research topic: Membership Surges in Political Parties: What does this mean for the party, its members and society?
Only a small percentage of citizens in advanced industrial democracies are members of a political party; the numbers have largely been declining over the last five decades. Current knowledge tells us that the minority who do join have five dimensions of incentives for doing so, some being more popular than others. Yet, when a party experiences an acute period of expansion in its memberbase, do peoples’ incentives for joining change? Are different kinds of people attracted? How does this affect the party and wider society? Using advanced statistical methods, supplemented with qualitative interviews and content analysis, the project aims to answers these questions.
Research supervisors: Professor Nicole Bollever
Email: hw487@exeter.ac.uk
Kate Precious
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC +3)
University of Bath, Department of Politics, Language and International StudiesStart date: September 2018
Research topic: A seat at the table: a comparative analysis of the causes, process and effect of the integration of the autistic community into policy in England and Denmark.
Research supervisors: Dr Engeli, Dr Maras, Dr Milner
Email: k.j.precious@bath.ac.uk
Katy Brown
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bath, Department of Politics, Language and International StudiesStart date: October 2017
Research topic: ‘Talking with’ and ‘talking about’ the far right: putting the mainstream back into mainstreamin
It is widely acknowledged that the far right has enjoyed increased success over recent years in Europe. However, a focus on electoral gains has led to misperceptions about the extent and nature of its impact. Discursive studies have largely investigated on how far-right parties have ‘softened’ their rhetoric to appear less extreme. While this internal strategy is important, mainstreaming is more complex, and there is a need to shift the focus towards the system in which far-right parties, or more specifically their ideas, are allowed to flourish. My PhD explores the role of mainstream elites within politics, the media and academia in creating this receptive environment.
Research supervisors: Dr Aurelien Mondon, Dr Sophia Hatzisavvidou
Email: kjb28@bath.ac.uk
Kit Waterman
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Politics (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Social Sciences and International StudiesStart date: September 2014
Research topic: How do structural dependencies effect US strategic leverage in East Asia?
Research supervisors: Dr Dario Castiglione
Email: kdw205@exeter.ac.uk
Leanne Fuller
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Politics and International Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, PoliticsStart date: September 2015
Research topic: Growing Double and Deutero loop learners: An analysis of the British Army’s efforts to inculcate a learning culture amongst junior officers
This collaborative study will research to what extent the Defence Organisational Learning Strategy aim of implementing a “routine learning culture” in the British Army has been effective. Organisational learning culture within a hierarchical/bureaucratic structure will be investigated: identification and examination of poor and best practice in introducing a learning culture within such organisations as well as analysing top-down imposed cultural changes and their implementation and acceptance at the bottom of such structures. This project should also assist the Army in identifying and developing its own learning practice and enable more effective evaluation of the top-down policy initiatives being implemented.
Research supervisors: Dr Sergio Catignani, Dr Andrew Massey
Email: lf316@exeter.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/leanne-fuller-7a505664
Lewis Cooper
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, School of Social Sciences and International StudiesStart date: September 2018
Research topic: The Emotions of the Economic Household: Expressions & Experiences Of Wealth and Work In Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century England
Research supervisors: Dr Schaap, Dr Maiguashca
Email: lc707@exeter.ac.uk
Max Guarini
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, School of Sociology, Politics and International StudiesStart date: September 2018
Research topic: Complex Discursive Dynamics: the performance of the Labour Party in the 2017 UK General Election
Research supervisors: Dr Banducci, Dr Carver Dr Coan, Dr Matthews, Dr Jasney
Email: mg12881@my.bristol.ac.uk
Nancy McLennan
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Relations (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, School of Sociology, Politics and International StudiesStart date: September 2017
Research topic: Transnational feminist organising: pathways from protest to policy
My research focuses on the role of transnational feminist movements in the development of transformative policy to end violence against women. An exploration of the methods and means of contemporary praxis will be undertaken using a feminist standpoint approach. An analysis of lived experiences, facilitated by close engagement with the Everywoman Everywhere Coalition, will be interpreted with reference to dominant conceptual frameworks advanced by social movement theorists. My research interests reflect my ten years of professional experience at the UN supporting governments develop participatory policy and my active engagement in women’s movements working to end violence against women.
Research supervisors: Professor Jutta Weldes, Dr Maud Perrier
Email: nancy.mclennan@bristol.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyMcLennan
Nicholas Dickinson
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, PoliticsStart date: September 2015
Research topic: The Regulation of MPs Salaries and Expenses in Westminster Democracies
I am a doctoral researcher in Politics focusing on the regulation of the salaries and expenses of members of parliament in Westminster democracies. The project aims to provide analysis and information on expenses regulation both from a scholarly standpoint and to inform ongoing debates on policy. My broader interests are the comparative study of parliamentary institutions in the English-speaking world, with a particular focus on the interactions between institutional arrangements, resource use and forms of political behaviour.
Research supervisors: Professor Nicole Bolleyer, Professor Claudio Radaelli
Email: nd327@exeter.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nick-dickinson-12782896
Website/Blog: https://twitter.com/NickSDickinson
Rosie Walters
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, School of Sociology, Politics and International StudiesStart date: September 2015
Research topic: Girl Power Discourses in International Development
My research focuses on prominent campaigns that advocate investing in young women in developing countries and posit girls’ education as the solution to global poverty.
Research supervisors: Professor Jutta Weldes, Dr Karen Tucker
Email: rosie.walters@bristol.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosie_walters
Tristan Hotham
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Politics (ESRC +3)
University of Bath, Department of Politics, Languages and International StudiesStart date: September 2016
Research topic: Examining the Impact and Effectiveness of Facebook on Party Campaigns
I am examining the use of Facebook as a political campaign tool by British political parties across three contexts, the 2015 General Election, 2017 General Election and the 2016 Welsh Assembly Elections. Through analysing Facebook data and undertaking interviews, I will evidence how and why Facebook is used, questioning its effectiveness and impact upon parties’ campaigns. Facebook appears to be a vital tool, that as part of a new data led political zeitgeist, within an era of party decline and radicalism, may help or hinder parties to campaign.
Research supervisors: Dr Nick Startin, Dr David Cutts, Prof. Roger Scully
Professional memberships/Positions held: PSA Early Career Member POLIS Student Research Rep
Email: th612@bath.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TristanHotham
William Feltham
Political Science and International Studies
PhD Researcher in Political Science and International Studies (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, School of Sociology, Politics and International StudiesStart date: October 2019
Research topic: Discursive and Narrative Tactics in Representations of the Labour Party - Toward a Counter Hegemonic Politics
My research addresses the role of language and narrative used in the presentation of the Labour Party and Momentum (by those groups themselves, in the press, and on social media) in the ongoing battle for control over the Labour Party. I aim to examine the linguistic and narrative battles being fought by various groups in the British political landscape for control over the ways in which the Labour Party is represented and understood. Further, I seek to discover how the language and narratives employed by Labour can and do form part of a genuine counter-hegemonic ambition.
Research supervisors: Dr Mark Wickham-Jones, Dr Thomas Osborne
Email: rm19459@bristol.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WilliamFeltham2