Philosophy PhD

• Students write a thesis that should make a contribution to philosophy.
• Supervision is provided by a team of experts in the students subject area. 
• Students meet regularly (on average, one hour every two weeks) with their supervisor.
• Each student has two supervisors.
• Once a year, students have a supervisory board meeting which involves discussion of some of their work, submitted for the supervisory board, by their supervisors and a third member of staff
• All students are expected to attend a non-assessed PhD Seminar during term time, at which they are required to present their research to their peers and staff. (These are currently on Tuesdays 5-6pm).
• All students are also expected to attend the staff research seminar. (These are currently on Wednesdays from 3.10-4.50pm).

A PhD degree is awarded by the University of Manchester for ‘research and training’. Training is mandatory for all PGRs. This training should comprise general research methods training, specialist research training and transferable or generic skills training. 

If you are unable to attend the Research Seminar, please try to inform one of the Research Seminar's convenors.

We have a lively research culture, which our PhD students both benefit from and contribute to. Activities and events include the following:

• Weekly research seminars, at which visiting speakers, members of staff and PhD students present their work. PhD students also get the opportunity to present comments on staff papers.
• Regular conferences and workshops involving major national and international philosophers. You can normally attend these free of charge.
• An annual 'employability workshop', a one-day mini-conference where our MA and PhD students give short talks, and another mini-conference at the start of the academic year to welcome new research students.
• An annual postgraduate conference, 'Open Minds', now in its tenth year, organised by our PhD students.
• The opportunity to get involved with Praxis, an online postgraduate journal of philosophy run by our PhD students. 

Research areas and projects

Find out more about our key research areas and current projects.

We also have close working relationship with colleagues in the Manchester Centre for Political Theory (MANCEPT), which is part of the Politics department, who engage in pioneering research in such areas as political theory, human rights, and theories of justice.

In addition to this, John O'Neill co-directs the Political Economy Centre.

PGR representatives

PGR representatives are elected each year to represent PGRs in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd years (one from each). PGR reps hold their position for one academic year, but can be re-elected in subsequent years (though, of course, they will represent different years!). PGR reps meet with the graduate team in specially convened meetings. Details of these will be posted once the election has taken place.

The School works closely with PGR Reps to ensure that PGR concerns are discussed and measures are put in place to resolve any issues that may arise.

• Find out more about PGR representation

Events and organisations

You are welcome to attend our research seminars.

• The British Philosophical Association: The leading organisation for philosophical research in the UK
• The British Postgraduate Philosophy Association
• Open Minds Conference: Since 2005-6 we have held an annual Graduate Conference, Open Minds. This highly successful event is organised by PhD students and provides a supportive and stimulating environment for postgraduate students and those recently awarded their PhD to share and discuss their work. Graduate students are strongly encouraged to participate in this event both by submitting papers, and by assisting with the organisation of the conference.

For more info contact Joel Smith (joel.smith@manchester.ac.uk)

Philosophy research students may also be interested in events held in Politics:

• Brave New World is an Annual Postgraduate Conference in Political Theory organised and run by postgraduate students under the auspices of the Manchester Centre for Political Theory (MANCEPT). Its conference series provides an excellent forum exclusively dedicated to the discussion of postgraduate research in political theory.

Key people

• Philosophy staff
• Current PGRs
• Past PGRs

Director of PGR Programmes in Philosophy

Events policy

We have an Events policy that covers general behaviour at seminars, workshops and conferences associated with the Philosophy discipline area.

Note that the Events Policy and the Research Seminar Policy (below) apply not just to the weekly Research Seminar and other events organised by staff, but also to any student-organised conferences and workshops; it is the responsibility of organisers to make sure that the policies are implemented.

Seminar policy

The seminar room can be a hostile environment, and is often perceived to be highly judgemental. In such an environment, those who lack confidence are unlikely to want to speak up. They may fear that a poor question will affect staff/senior colleagues’ opinion of their philosophical ability and therefore their chances of securing a good reference, temporary position, etc. Or they may simply fear public humiliation.

Moreover, given that hostile and aggressive behaviour is stereotypically male, such an atmosphere may engender stereotype threat or a general feeling of not fitting in amongst some women (and indeed some men).

The following policy has therefore been adopted. This applies to all research seminars conducted as part of the DA’s research, including the weekly Research Seminar and all conferences and workshops, whether organised by or aimed at staff or postgraduate students.

1. Short break between the talk and the questions

There will be a short (3-5 minutes) break between the talk and the question period. This gives all participants the chance to think through and/or discuss their question with colleagues.

This applies only to sessions that are at least 45 minutes long; in shorter sessions, a break would not allow sufficient time for discussion.

2. Discretion concerning the order in which questions are taken

The Chair is entitled to exercise discretion concerning the order in which they call on people to ask questions, eg by:

• prioritising people who don’t normally speak and/or postgraduates;
• not allowing someone who has already asked a question to ask a second question later on, if others who want to ask a question have not yet done so.

Chairs should note that less confident participants often sit towards the back of the room, so when constructing a list of questions they should consider starting at the back rather than the front.

3. Adopting (and enforcing) the hand/finger distinction

A hand represents a new question, and a finger represents a follow-up question or request for clarification that is highly relevant to the question/answer just given. This distinction is open to abuse, and in such cases the Chair is entirely entitled to intervene (eg by stopping the ‘finger’ question if it is clearly irrelevant and recategorising it as a ‘hand’ question, to go on the bottom of the list of questions).

4. Follow-up questions

Participants should be aware that a follow-up question (ie a second question immediately after the speaker’s response to their original question) is not a right;

• permission (which may or may not be granted) should be sought from the Chair,
• and failure to do this may result in the questioner being cut off mid-flow.

British Philosophical Association/Society for Women in Philosophy (UK) ‘Good Practice Scheme’

From September 2014, the Philosophy Discipline Area has signed up to the BPA's scheme.

Bullying, harassment and discrimination

The University of Manchester does not tolerate any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination. If you believe that you are being bullied or harassed, or have witnessed bullying or harassment, you can contact a Harassment Advisor. Harassment Advisors provide confidential support and information to students and staff on the University’s policy and will be able to explain the options available to you.

In the first instance, please contact the PGR Director raamy.majeed@manchester.ac.uk

Students with caring responsibilities

If you have caring responsibilities that affect your studies (eg timetable requirements), please speak to your Academic Advisor. Or, if you prefer, you can talk to the Disciplina Area's Carer Contact, Prof. Helen Beebee.

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