Following a successful proposal to the Scottish Funding Council, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Soillse initiative will promote an enhanced research capacity to inform public policy concerning Gaelic in Scotland. The initiative is supported by SFC’s Strategic Research Development Grant Horizon Fund scheme. Activities and outputs will build upon, collaborate with, and transfer knowledge to existing efforts to maintain and revitalise Gaelic language and culture.
Soillse involves a consortium consisting of UHI Millenium Institute (in particular, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig), and the Universities of Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
The aims of Soillse are:
* To further develop a research capability in Gaelic language development for the benefit of the Highlands & Islands and beyond
* To develop a national network, bringing in new researchers, linking with international research and influencing policy.
Five PhD scholarships, including one at the Department of Celtic and Gaelic, University of Glasgow, will be awarded in 2010 in terms of the criteria set out below. The Glasgow scholarship will cover the UK/EU rate of tuition fees and an annual stipend. The stipend is in line with the figure set by the Research Councils (£13,489 in 2010-11). All international students who apply for the scholarship must be able to demonstrate the availability of funds to meet the full overseas tuition fee.
Funding will extend for four years. Students may apply on a 1+3 or 3+1 basis, i.e. a Research Master’s followed by a three-year PhD, or a three-year PhD followed by one year of postdoctoral study. Students choosing the 1+3 option will only be permitted to progress to the PhD if performance on the Research Master’s is satisfactory.
Full-time applications are preferred but anyone wishing to apply on a part-time basis should contact Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh (rom@celtic.arts.gla.ac.uk; +44(0)141-330 6327) in the first instance.
Criteria
Applications are encouraged in relation to the following three research topics:
1. Language usage patterns and language ideologies among Gaelic-speaking families and communities, e.g. the language attitudes and motivations which prompt parents to not/use Gaelic in child-rearing.
2. The intergenerational transmission of Gaelic: correlations between language input and output, and attitudes to language
3. Language usage, competence and attitudes among adults who received Gaelic-medium education.
Applicants may also propose a different research topic but this must fit clearly within the parameters of the Soillse initiative and its overarching research themes: Gaelic as a family and community language; Gaelic language use; Gaelic identity and self-confidence; Gaelic in education; and policies for Gaelic.
Applicants should be able to speak, read and write Gaelic. Applicants who do not currently have all of these skills will be expected to develop competence in Gaelic such that they can conduct and present academic research through the medium of Gaelic. Appropriate language training will be provided.
Informal enquiries about the award and the application procedure can be made to Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh (rom@celtic.arts.gla.ac.uk; +44(0)141-330 6327).
Application Procedure:
Applicants must apply for (a) the scholarship and (b) postgraduate study at the University of Glasgow.
To apply for the scholarship, candidates should submit hard copies of the following:
* a CV including education and grades achieved to date
* a personal statement outlining why you believe you should be considered for the scholarship, highlighting your interest and ability in the field of Gaelic sociolinguistics broadly defined
* a research proposal in line with the criteria described above (c. 500–1,000 words, not including bibliography)
Please send completed scholarship applications to Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh, Department of Celtic and Gaelic, University of Glasgow, 3 University Gardens, Glasgow G12 8QQ.
Completed scholarship applications must be received no later than 28 May 2010.
An application for postgraduate study must also be submitted to the University of Glasgow by 28 May 2010. This application must be accompanied by two academic references, which will also be used in relation to the scholarship; the research proposal used for the scholarship application; and a recent sample of your academic writing.
Tags: Soillse PhD Scholarship