PhD Study

The Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication offers the possibility to undertake research leading towards a PhD, on a variety of contemporary and historical topics related to publishing and print culture.

More information about the Centre’s research activities is available here. The Centre is part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Literature and Languages, and by registering for a PhD in the Centre you will join a community of research students and staff. It may also be possible to arrange co-supervision with other Schools in the University. As well as the traditional PhD by thesis, it is also possible to study for a PhD by Publication.

If you are interested in studying for a PhD, please contact the Director of the Centre, Claire Squires.

You can also study for an MRes in Publishing Studies. This programme offers the opportunity to prepare for a PhD through concentrated research.

For details on finance and funding, go to the University of Stirling Postgraduate Finance pages.

Current PhD researchers are:

  • Sarah Boyd: The Publishing Industry in the Digital Ecosystem (Carnegie Trust scholarship)
  • Paul Docherty: Developing Literary Glasgow (an AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award with Glasgow Life)
  • Helena Markou: The Shelf-Life of Books: An Exploration of the Lifecycle and Longevity of Books in the UK in the 21st Century (SGSAH/AHRC DTP studentship)
  • Christina Neuwirth: Women of Words: Gender equality in contemporary writing and publishing in Scotland (an SGSAH Creative Economies Studentship; co-supervised with the University of Glasgow and Scottish Book Trust)
  • Louisa Preston: The Nesta/Creative Scotland/AHRC Digital R and D Fund for Arts and Culture in Scotland (co-supervised with the University of St Andrews; co-funded by the University of Stirling, St Andrews and the Nesta/Creative Scotland/AHRC Digital R and D Fund)
  • Lucy Ry-Kottoh: Digital Publishing in Ghana, with a focus on Children’s/Educational Publishing (Commonwealth Scholarship)
  • Ellen Wiles: Live Literature and Cultural Value: An Ethnographic Exploration (AHRC studentship)

Completed PhDs undertaken in the Centre include:

  • Stevie Marsden: The Saltire Society Literary Awards, 1936-2015: A Cultural History (an AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award with The Saltire Society) (Thesis available on request from STORRE)
  • Rachel Noorda (2016): Transnational Scottish Book Marketing to a Diasporic Audience 1995-2015 (Thesis available in STORRE)
  • Kwasi Otu Darko-Ampem (2004): Scholarly Publishing in Africa: A Case Study of the Policies and Practices of African University Presses (Thesis available in STORRE)
  • Firdaus Ahmad Azzam (1995): Scholarly Publishing in Malaysia: A Study of Marketing Environment and Influences on Readership Behaviour (Thesis available in STORRE)
  • Passawalee Nitikasetsoontorn: A Study of Book  Marketing in Publishing Houses in Peninsular Malaysia: Contexts, Practices, Problems