36 monthsProgramme duration
22,320 GBPTuition Fee/year
17 Jul, 2026Application Deadline
Jan, Apr, OctStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Journalism
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
The Journalism and Political Communication research cluster, which includes staff and postgraduate researchers, is at the forefront of some cutting-edge research in the subject areas. Much of the research is interdisciplinary, and we work closely with colleagues in the Department of Social and Political Sciences and the various research institutes at the College of Law, Arts and Social Sciences. We also have excellent connections with working journalists, politicians, and activists beyond the university.
Our latest research highlights our expertise, and we are particularly interested in attracting PhD candidates in the following areas:
- Fake news, disinformation, and conspiracy theories (Anita Howarth)
- AI-generated images and content in news and political communication (Anita Howarth)
- Reporting migration (Billur Ozgul and Anita Howarth)
- The role of images in journalism and political communication (Billur Ozgul and Anita Howarth)
- Issues of social justice, including poverty, hunger, and asylum (Anita Howarth)
- Health communication (Billur Ozgul)
- Alternative and resistance media (Billur Ozgul)
- Environmental communication (Anita Howarth)
- Women in politics (Victor Jatula)
- Media in Nigeria (Victor Jatula)
We also have specialist expertise in Europe, Africa, Turkey, and the USA.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Journalism
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
The Journalism and Political Communication research cluster, which includes staff and postgraduate researchers, is at the forefront of some cutting-edge research in the subject areas. Much of the research is interdisciplinary, and we work closely with colleagues in the Department of Social and Political Sciences and the various research institutes at the College of Law, Arts and Social Sciences. We also have excellent connections with working journalists, politicians, and activists beyond the university.
Our latest research highlights our expertise, and we are particularly interested in attracting PhD candidates in the following areas:
- Fake news, disinformation, and conspiracy theories (Anita Howarth)
- AI-generated images and content in news and political communication (Anita Howarth)
- Reporting migration (Billur Ozgul and Anita Howarth)
- The role of images in journalism and political communication (Billur Ozgul and Anita Howarth)
- Issues of social justice, including poverty, hunger, and asylum (Anita Howarth)
- Health communication (Billur Ozgul)
- Alternative and resistance media (Billur Ozgul)
- Environmental communication (Anita Howarth)
- Women in politics (Victor Jatula)
- Media in Nigeria (Victor Jatula)
We also have specialist expertise in Europe, Africa, Turkey, and the USA.
Admission Requirements
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
- Candidates are required to submit references or letter(s) of recommendation for acceptance
- Candidates are required to submit an essay(s) for acceptance
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