The University of Roehampton, in collaboration with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and partner arts organizations, invites applications for fully funded PhD studentships through the Consortium for Researching Inclusive Cultures in the Arts (CRICA). Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Doctoral Focal Award scheme, this four-year doctoral training program supports research exploring the intersection of disability and the creative economy in the performing and participatory arts. Applications are welcome from UK, EU, and international candidates, with one overseas scholarship available for the October entry.
Important Dates / Deadline
- Application Deadline: December 3, 2026
- Program Entry: October
- Program Duration: Four years
Organization
- Lead Institution: University of Roehampton
- Collaborating Institution: London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Funding Body: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
- Funding Scheme: Doctoral Focal Award
- Program: Consortium for Researching Inclusive Cultures in the Arts (CRICA)
- Qualification: PhD
- Research Focus: Disability, creative economy, performing arts, and participatory arts
The program brings together researchers, artists, and performing and participatory arts organizations to investigate inclusive cultures, practices, and spaces in the arts.
Location / Study Destination
London, United Kingdom. Doctoral research and training will take place across the University of Roehampton, LSE, and participating arts organizations, with opportunities for embedded placements.
Who Can Apply
Applications are welcome from:
- UK students.
- EU students.
- International students.
- Candidates with research interests in disability and the creative economy.
- Applicants proposing research in performing or participatory arts.
- Researchers and artists interested in inclusive cultural practices and spaces.
- Disabled candidates and individuals from groups underrepresented in the arts and academia.
International Applicant Restriction: Only one overseas scholarship is available for the October entry.
Key Benefits / Salary / Funding
The CRICA studentships provide:
- Full Tuition Fee Funding: Tuition fee coverage through the funded studentship.
- Living Stipend: Financial support for living expenses.
- Funding Duration: Four-year doctoral training program.
- Specialized Doctoral Training: Participation in the CRICA research and training program.
- Embedded Placements: Opportunities to undertake placements with participating arts organizations.
- Interdisciplinary Research: Collaboration across arts, humanities, social sciences, and creative practice.
- Academic Supervision: Research guidance from academics at Roehampton and/or LSE.
- Professional Networks: Access to a community of artists, researchers, and cultural organizations.
Main Requirements
Applicants must meet the following research and application requirements:
1. Research Project Alignment: Propose a doctoral research project specifically addressing the intersection of disability and the creative economy within performing or participatory arts.
2. Research Quality: Demonstrate the potential to undertake high-quality doctoral research relevant to the CRICA program.
3. Supervisor Consultation: Contact a potential supervisor at the University of Roehampton and/or LSE to discuss the proposed project before applying.
4. Program Identification: Explicitly state in the personal statement that the application is for the CRICA program.
5. Application Submission: Complete the appropriate university application process by December 3, 2026.
Research Themes
The program focuses on understanding and developing inclusive cultures, practices, and spaces in the arts.
Relevant research interests may include:
- Disability and participation in the creative economy.
- Inclusive practices in performing and participatory arts.
- Accessibility and inclusion within arts organizations.
- Cultural participation and disability.
- Inclusive artistic environments and creative spaces.
- Relationships between disability, artistic practice, and cultural institutions.
Proposed research must maintain a clear connection to disability and the creative economy in the performing or participatory arts sectors.
How to Apply
Applicants should complete the following steps:
1. Review the CRICA Program: Visit the University of Roehampton CRICA information page to learn about the research program and potential supervisors.
2. Develop a Research Project Idea: Prepare a doctoral research concept addressing the intersection of disability and the creative economy in performing or participatory arts.
3. Contact a Potential Supervisor: Discuss the project idea with a potential supervisor at Roehampton and/or LSE before submitting an application. This step is mandatory.
4. Prepare a Personal Statement: Explicitly mention that you are applying to the Consortium for Researching Inclusive Cultures in the Arts (CRICA).
5. Submit an Online Application: Apply through the University of Roehampton’s graduate application portal or LSE’s equivalent graduate application portal.
6. Meet the Deadline: Submit the completed application by December 3, 2026.
Documents Needed
Applicants must prepare the following application materials:
- Online PhD Application: Completed through the University of Roehampton or LSE graduate application system.
- Personal Statement: Must explicitly identify CRICA as the program being applied for.
- Research Project Idea: A proposed doctoral research topic addressing disability and the creative economy in performing or participatory arts.
Applicants should consult the relevant university application portal for any additional admission documentation requirements.
Important Notes
- CRICA is a four-year doctoral training initiative funded through the AHRC Doctoral Focal Award scheme.
- The program is delivered collaboratively by the University of Roehampton, LSE, and participating arts organizations.
- Full studentships include tuition fee funding and a living stipend.
- Applications are open to UK, EU, and international candidates.
- Only one overseas scholarship is available for the October entry.
- Applicants must contact a potential supervisor at Roehampton and/or LSE before applying.
- The personal statement must explicitly mention CRICA.
- Research proposals must focus on the intersection of disability and the creative economy in performing or participatory arts.
- Students will have opportunities for specialized training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and embedded placements.
- The participating institutions encourage applications from disabled candidates and individuals from underrepresented groups in the arts and academia.
For further inquiries, contact:
- University of Roehampton: pgresearch@roehampton.ac.uk
- LSE: sociology.phd@lse.ac.uk