WRoCAH funded collaborative Doctoral Award: Philosophy and AIMS
WRoCAH funded Collaborative Doctoral Award between the Department of Philosophy, University of York and AIMS (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services)
This WRoCAH funded collaborative doctoral award provides funding for 40 months full-time study. Awards must be taken up in October 2025.
The project will investigate what makes consent important, what morally valid consent consists in, and the importance of how consent is communicated. It will do so with a view to understanding how consent can be supported and respected in non-ideal circumstances. These include unjust social structures which affect individuals’ decision-making, and/or experiential elements which make the conditions of giving and communicating consent challenging. A chief aim is to inform better practices for respecting consent in non-ideal circumstances, including where these arise during pregnancy, labour and birth.
About AIMS
AIMS (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services) works towards better births for all by campaigning and information sharing, protecting human rights in childbirth, and helping everyone to know their rights, whatever birth they want, and wherever they want it.
AIMS’ mission statement is “We support all maternity service users to navigate the system as it exists, and campaign for a system that truly meets the needs of all.” This is supported by the following three pillars of work:
- Providing objective, accessible, evidence-based information tailored to the needs of maternity service users and those who support them
- Providing individual support and tools for self-advocacy
- Campaigning and lobbying at national level for the service improvements that we believe are needed
Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.
Open to students in the Department of Philosophy.
This opportunity is being offered as a full-time studentship but part-time study may be an option subject to agreement with the supervision team. WRoCAH students are required to undertake a bespoke training package and to complete a Researcher Employability Project of at least a month and a Knowledge Exchange Project.
Applicants must have a good first degree in an appropriate subject. Applicants will also have a Master's degree, or be working towards one, at Distinction level or relevant professional experience. We are looking for a well-qualified student with a background in any of the following disciplines: Philosophy, Applied Ethics.
Further information is available on the WRoCAH website.
Application deadline: Wednesday 5 March 2025, 12pm GMT
By 12 noon Wednesday 5 March 2025, applicants are required to submit to WRoCAH an Expression of Interest, which should include:
- A CV with details of academic qualifications
- A covering letter comprising a two-page statement to convey your motivation and enthusiasm for the project, and to demonstrate your suitability for your intended PhD studies with the University and Project Partner.
The covering letter should specifically highlight the following:
- Your interest in the project and details on why you have chosen that University and Project Partner.
- How you will apply your current skills, knowledge and experience to undertake a PhD and the approach you would take to develop the project.
- How the project fits into your career plans and ambitions.
Before applying for any WRoCAH Studentship, please first ensure that you have read the WRoCAH webpages about the WRoCAH training programme and requirements, as well as other funding opportunities.