Journalism PhD

The Journalism group members are at the forefront of research into subjects as diverse as journalism and the implications for it of emergent digital and social technologies; migration and refugees; social justice and political communication; environmental and health communication. We also have specialist expertise in media and journalism in China and Hong Kong.  Our staff comprise some of the biggest names in the business, who will enable you to be an effective journalist in any international setting.

Our main themes of research include

• Bodies, Space and Political Resistance - Dr Anita Howarth (see also Dr Monica Degen, Dr Sara De Benedictus, Dr Meredith Jones, Dr Sharon Lockyer in Sociology and Communications on Bodies, Space and Culture) 
• Communication, protest and social change - Dr Anita Howarth (see also Dr Lesley Henderson and Dr Sanjay Sharma in Sociology and Communications) 
• Chinese media and journalism - Dr Jingrong Tong
• Digital cultures - Dr Christian Stiegler (see also Dr John Roberts, Dr Sanjay Sharma, Dr Peter Wilkin, Dr Meredith Jones, Dr Monica Degen in Sociology and Communications for Digital Cultures, Networks and Social Media)
• Social media, politics and society (social media analysis) - Dr Jingrong Tong (see also Dr John Roberts; Dr Sanjay Sharma; Dr Peter Wilkin; Dr Meredith Jones; Dr Monica Degen in Sociology and Communications)
• Digital data analysis - Dr Jingrong Tong
• Emergent Digital Media Technologies (including Immersive Storytelling, Virtual and Augmented Reality b- Dr Christian Stiegler (see also Dr Paul Moody in Sociology and Communications)
• Environmental, health, science and risk communication  - Dr Jingrong Tong; Dr Anita Howarth (see also Dr Lesley Henderson, Dr Sanjay Sharma in Sociology and Communications)
• Hunger, poverty and social justice - Dr Anita Howarth (see also Dr Peter Wilkin, Dr Sara d Benedictis, Dr John Roberts and Prof Nicola Ansell in Sociology and Communications on the precariat)
• Journalism/journalists in comparative, historical and digital contexts - Dr Jingrong Tong, Dr Anita Howarth
• Migration, Refugees and Sanctuary - Dr Anita Howarth; (see also Professor Sarita Malik, Dr Sanjay Sharma, Dr Simon Weaver, Dr Meredith Jones and Dr Paul Moody in Sociology and Communications on race, racism and othering)
• Political Communication - Dr Anita Howarth; Dr Jingrong Tong
• Political Economy of media industries/journalism - Dr Christian Stiegler (see also Dr Peter Wilkin, Dr John Roberts and Dr Paul Moody in Sociology and Communications on Approaches to Political Economy)
• Popular culture and mass media - Dr Christian Stiegler (see also Dr Paul Moody in Sociology and Communications and Dr Leon Hunt in Film & TV on film and media history)

Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team.

You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.

While we welcome applications from student with a clear direction for their research, we are providing you with some ideas for your chosen field of research:

While we welcome a wide range of topics in the areas of journalism, political communication and media here is an example list of potential research topics that we would like to supervise:

• Chinese media, journalism and society
• Data Journalism
• Digital cultures
• Environmental, health and science journalism
• Food communication and social conflict
• Immersive media/Virtual and Augmented Reality
• Media and the creative industries
• Sanctuary, refugees and asylum
• Political communication
• Political economy of journalism
• Poverty, hunger and social justice
• Refugees and migration
• Social media, politics and society (social media analysis)

This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in January. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in October. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in April.

The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1). 

An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face.

Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement and a research statement.
Please contact your proposed supervisor, where possible, to receive feedback and guidance on your research statement before submitting it. Learn how to prepare a research statement here.   

• IELTS: 7.5 (min 7.0 in all areas)
• Pearson: 73 (64 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 73% (68% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 108 (min 20)