PhD in the School of Education: Reading for pleasure (Dubai)
Explore teacher perceptions of reading for pleasure in the UAE.
We have an exciting PhD opportunity to explore how UAE teachers perceive the impact of reading for pleasure on pupil well-being. This funded research is part of the Emirates Literature Foundation’s transformative Reading for Pleasure initiative, designed to cultivate a lifelong love of reading and enhance educational outcomes. As a PhD student, you will contribute to ground-breaking research with real-world impact, informing teaching practices and shaping education policy in the Gulf region.
Project Overview
The successful applicant will engage in qualitative and quantitative research to assess teachers’ perspectives on the effectiveness of the Reading for Pleasure project, with the aim of informing teaching practices and education policy in the UAE. The studentship is primarily based in Birmingham, UK, with data collection trips to Dubai.
Supervision and Support
Meet Dr Nicola SmithThe PhD student will be supervised by Dr Nicola Smith and Dr Beth Marley from the Department of Teacher Education within the School of Education at the University of Birmingham.
Funding and Support
Our funded PhD studentship will cover the cost of your PhD tuition fees as a home student, including a yearly stipend of £19,237 and an annual contribution of up to £3,400 to cover data collection in Dubai for the duration of 3 years.
Application Process
Interested candidates should contact Dr Nicola Smith at n.smith.9@bham.ac.uk for informal enquiries. Applications must be submitted via the University of Birmingham’s online application portal. As this is an advertised PhD project, no research proposal is required—only a personal statement outlining motivation, relevant experience, and suitability for the role.
Key Dates
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Application deadline: 30th April 2025 (23:59 UK time)
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Interviews: May 2025
- PhD start date: Autumn 2025
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have:
- Master’s degree in a relevant subject, including Education, Teaching Studies, Primary/Elementary School Literacy
- Strong knowledge of mixed-methods research and qualitative research methods,
- Willingness to travel internationally for data collection and conferences
- Ability to work independently as well as cooperatively,
- Possession of intercultural communication skills,
- Experience working with UAE school teachers and leaders will be considered an asset.
Application Requirements
- You application must include:
- Personal statement: A statement of up to 5,000 characters outlining your motivation, relevant academic and professional experiences, and how this PhD aligns with your career goals.
- References: Applicants must provide contact details for one or two academic or professional referees.
- Academic certificates and transcripts for all prior degrees.