PhD Research Studentship in Diaspora Geography
PhD Research Studentship in Diaspora Geography
One PhD studentship (four years) in social and political geography is available at School of History and Geography, DCU.
The position forms a part of a Research Ireland-funded project “Diaspora Diplomacy and the Migration-Development Nexus” led by Dr Jonathan Harris. The position is for four years, and dedicated to a case study of the Indian diaspora in Ireland.
About the Project
States increasingly view diasporas as key diplomatic and developmental resources, and the role they play in global politics is the focus of a growing number of policy interventions and reappraisal in the fields of political geography, international relations and diplomacy studies. In the Irish context, “Diaspora Diplomacy and the Migration-Development Nexus” seeks to better understand how diaspora networks act diplomatically, to broker geopolitical connections, support development goals and mediate conflict. While the ‘migration-development nexus’ concept largely focuses on short-term economic questions, ‘diaspora diplomacy’ highlights the longer-term geopolitics of diaspora mobilisation. This project brings these divergent themes and areas of scholarly work into conversation, bridging the theory and practice gap in diaspora engagement. It does so through a cross-border study that will highlight the ways that differing citizenship regimes, governance structures and engagement policies interact with diaspora networks - both the Irish abroad and those diasporas that call Ireland home. It will map the diaspora diplomacies of three significant and growing diasporas of postcolonial states (Brazil, India and Algeria), and critically review Ireland’s own diaspora strategy, to identify lessons for domestic as well as foreign policy, improving migration governance and development outcomes globally.
The project team is led by Dr Jonathan Harris, who will act as the PhD student’s primary supervisor with Professor Susan Hegarty acting as secondary supervisor. The project will also be recruiting a full-time postdoctoral research fellow responsible for day-to-day management of the project.
The project follows five workstreams, broadly defined:
[1] A literature review of theoretical perspectives and professional practice in diaspora diplomacy using a systematic ‘rapid review’ technique.
[2] A mapping exercise with each of the case study diaspora populations. Diaspora mapping will make use of ethnographic and digital methods, secondary data, policy analysis, and network analysis to identify dynamics of diaspora diplomacy and development within and beyond the national framing, extending the existing work of state actors where relevant. Each mapping will entail an element of co-design with the relevant diaspora stakeholders acting as an advisory group.
[3] Homeland Stakeholder Engagement, involving visits to homeland communities identified by the research team in collaboration with Algerian, Brazilian and Indian diaspora advisory groups. The PhD student, accompanied by a diaspora leader agreed by the relevant advisory group, will visit a site where diaspora connections from Ireland and elsewhere are impacting development outcomes to conduct fieldwork.
[4] Learning from Ireland’s diaspora diplomacy for social integration and homeland development. The project team will undertake a critical review of Ireland’s diaspora diplomacy, by analysing policy development around diaspora strategy since 1998 and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders in Irish diaspora.
[5] The development of a policy briefing and curriculum materials for training in diaspora diplomacy.
More about the Position
The PhD student’s independent project is expected to fit within the aims and framework of the “Diaspora Diplomacy” project. It is desirable to demonstrate strong interdisciplinary and creative thinking, as well as social research skills and an ability to work in Ireland and India. The ability to speak one or more Indian languages would be an advantage but is not a requirement.
The PhD student’s project should be dedicated to advancing the Indian diaspora case study. Indians represent the largest non-European diaspora in Ireland, numbering more than 60,000 across the island. Large numbers of highly-skilled, English speaking young Indians have come to Ireland over the past three decades, primarily for study opportunities and many have stayed for employment in healthcare, agri-business, life sciences and technology. In the early years of independence, following its own experience of partition, India actively disavowed citizens of Indian heritage abroad. However, by the 1990s, increasing emigration had attracted the interest of successive Indian governments, which started to explicitly seek to use the diaspora as a source of political and economic power. Its diaspora outreach has taken several forms, from ‘Person of Indian Origin’ and ‘Overseas Citizen of India’ visa schemes to encourage diaspora return, to government-sponsored networking amongst diaspora entrepreneurs such as ‘Indiaspora’ and others. In Ireland, India’s consular offices support the activities of Indian cultural centres, particularly around Hindu festivals such as Holi and Diwali.
This case study might investigate how diaspora institutions are coming into being in the context of the recent growth in the Indian population in Ireland, in relation to state institutions and homeland development. The student is expected to be able to carry out independent research across the island of Ireland and in India. Experience with participatory research methods will be an advantage.
The successful candidate will be a core member of the “Diaspora Diplomacy and the Migration-Development Nexus” research team as well as part of DCU’s Ireland-India Institute and Institute for Climate and Society, which provide a stimulating scientific context for interdisciplinary research on international relations and environment-society challenges.
Candidates who are creative and have an interest in interdisciplinarity, public engagement and policy impact are strongly encouraged to apply. Training in relevant methods will be provided.
Residence in the Republic of Ireland, and within commuting distance from Dublin, is expected during the appointment, while it is expected that the post will involve frequent travel across the island of Ireland (including Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom) as well as occasional travel overseas for training and research purposes.
The successful candidate will be offered a scholarship that covers all tuition fees (EU or non-EU) and provides an annual stipend for living expenses of €25,000 pa for up to 4 years subject to satisfactory annual progression. Where required for overseas candidates, financial assistance for annual residency permit and health insurance costs will be made available through the project. Funds to support research activities associated with the project (including international travel, attendance of relevant conferences, equipment) will also be available to the successful candidate.
In addition to expert supervision, DCU research students are afforded the opportunity to engage in professional development activities, including targeted training within the School, at the Faculty and University level, and teaching and tutorial support. In recognition of the various career pathways that PhD awardees pursue, these activities include career development above and beyond careers in academia. Students are encouraged to participate in the School’s research seminar and opportunities for paid tutorial teaching.
About the School of History and Geography
Dublin City University (DCU) is a leading innovative European University, proud to be one of the world’s leading Young Universities. DCU is known as Ireland’s University of Impact, with a mission to ‘transform lives and societies’ and focuses on addressing global challenges in collaboration with key national and international partners and stakeholders. DCU has over 20,000 students in five faculties spread across three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra area of North Dublin. Thanks to its innovative approach to teaching and learning, the University offers a ‘transformative student experience’ that helps to develop highly sought-after graduates. DCU is currently No. 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employment Rate, and for graduate income (CSO).
The School of History and Geography is located on DCU’s St Patrick’s Campus in Drumcondra, and is a leading centre of research on Ireland – its geography, history and landscape. The coming together of these subject areas has resulted in a school that is unique in Ireland in its interdisciplinary range and research potential, and is currently home to a lively body of PhD research students.
Qualification requirements and assessment criteria
Applicants must hold a master’s degree (or equivalent), with an academic profile at bachelor’s or master’s degree level in either geography, international politics, sociology, anthropology, or cognate disciplines.
Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Quality of the research proposal (including originality, potential research contribution and impact, clarity with which project elucidated and the overall scope); feasibility of the proposed research; strength and suitability of the candidate; and fit with the “Diaspora Diplomacy and the Migration-Development Nexus” project.
Completed application forms, accompanied by a CV, should be emailed to historyandgeography@dcu.ie. Applications should be received by the closing date of 12th June 2025. Only applications submitted using this form will be accepted. Online video interviews will be conducted as part of the process of evaluation, with the provisional date set for 24th June 2025.
The successful candidate will be required to apply formally to be admitted as PhD students by the University. They may also need to show proficiency in the English language.
The successful candidate will begin their studies in September 2025 and is normally expected to reside in Ireland for the duration of the programme. Please note that if a student commences later than September 2025, for visa or other reasons, and subsequently enter into Year 5, the Faculty will not be able to fund the fifth year of fees.
Please direct any queries to Dr Jonathan Harris (jonathan.harris@dcu.ie).