PhD Programmes

This programme allows you to think outside the box and pursue original and innovative interdisciplinary research. The PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies is our first degree, and it allows students to pursue research projects in line with the core aims of the Centre. Students applying to this programme will draw from more than one discipline in conducting their research, and often seek to combine or innovate at the level of research method. Contemporary challenges often fall between or cut across disciplinary expertise and this degree is designed to meet these challenges. Apply here

We also offer the joint a programme PhD in Media and Communication in collaboration with Centre for Cultural and Media Policy Studies (CCMPS). The programme is for students who wish to engage directly with the field of contemporary media. Students on this programme are able to combine research supervision with members in CIM and CCMPS and will have access to the research commuities of both Centres. If you wish to apply for this degree, you will need to apply through the Centre for Cultural and Media Policy Studies.

Application Guidance

Determine if you are eligible to apply for a PhD. There are no deadlines to apply for entry to the PhD, but there are deadlines relating to scholarships. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship, please consult the Funding Information below and work towards the deadlines specified. We recommend that candidates submit their applications as early as possible.
Consider how you will fund your research. Full-time PhDs typically last between 3 to 4 years. In order to fund your study, you may need to apply for a scholarship, loan, or rely on support networks. Whatever the case, a clear funding strategy is needed before you commence your studies.
Try to identify a potential supervisor, and make contact with them before submitting your application. Details of our academic staff members' expertise and areas of interest are avaailable on our Staff Profile pages.Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window If you require assistance identfying which member of staff is best placed to supervise your proposed research, please feel free to contact our Director of Postgraduate Research Studies (n.calvillo@warwick.ac.uk) Please note, Nerea Calvillo is on leave between September 2022-January 2023. During this time all inquiries are to be addressed to the Interim PGR Director: Maria Puig de la Bellacasa at Maria.Puig-de-la-Bellacasa@warwick.ac.uk
You may wish to nominate one co-supervisor from outside CIM. If you wish to do this, please make clear why this is the case in your application.
Write your research proposal. Your research proposal should be around 2,000 words (and include references), but the focus is on quality. The proposal should be uploaded along with your application. Your proposal should consider: the main research question/s; the background context of the study and existing research; the discipline/s upon which the project will draw; theoretical frameworks (what theories with the work draw on and why?); methodological approach (i.e. ethnography, digital methods, GIS, discourse analysis); the topic, main examples or case studies; and any possible issues the project may have (such as access to data or specific archives).
Organise the supporting documents. This will involve uploading your CV, academic transcripts, language test results (if needed) and referee information. We recommend that you let your referees know in advance that you intend to apply and send them your application materials so they are best positioned to comment on your suitability for the programme.

For any academic questions please contact CIM’s PGR Director Nerea Calvillo at n.calvillo@warwick.ac.uk (possible supervisors, grants, etc). Please note, Nerea Calvillo is on leave between September 2022-January 2023. During this time all inquiries are to be addressed to the Interim PGR Director: Maria Puig de la Bellacasa at Maria.Puig-de-la-Bellacasa@warwick.ac.uk

For any administrative questions, please contact CIM’s PGR Administrator at CIM@warwick.ac.uk (documents required, transcripts, application process, etc)

Application Procedure

Please follow this procedure carefully. Failure to do so is likely to affect your proposed start date and any applications for University Scholarships.

STEP 1: Initiate an application for admission to the University, including your Personal Details, Project Proposal and CV. This step is required to find you a possible supervisor or to initiate conversations with your nominated supervisor/s.

STEP 2: Your nominated supervisor(s) will consider your research proposal and CV. If a nominated supervisor thinks that s/he may be able to supervise your project, you will be invited to contact them to discuss the details of your project. If the supervisor wishes to proceed to the next stage, you will be invited to complete the full application to for admission to the University, where you will upload the Supporting Documents. If not, you will be informed by the PGR Administrator.

STEP 3: If you meet the formal criteria for entry the University will make you a formal offer. Formal offers will not be issued without satisfactory references and, for students whose first language is not English, evidence of meeting our language requirements.

If you are applying for a scholarship this process has to be completed first.

For any academic questions please contact PGR Director Nerea Calvillo at n.calvillo@warwick.ac.uk (possible supervisors, grants, etc). Please note, Nerea Calvillo is on leave between September 2022-January 2023. During this time all inquiries are to be addressed to the Interim PGR Director: Maria Puig de la Bellacasa at Maria.Puig-de-la-Bellacasa@warwick.ac.uk

For any administrative questions, please contact CIM’s PGR Administrator at CIM@warwick.ac.uk (documents required, transcripts, application process, etc).

Eligibility (Entry Requirements)

A strong research proposal that aligns with current research in the Centre.
Generally, we require our applicants to have obtained a 2:i undergraduate degree and Master’s (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. However, applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. CIM does not specify a background discipline. If you are unsure about how your previous studies map onto the British system, guidelines can be found through Warwick's International OfficeLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window.
Two academic references; if you include your referees' email addresses on your application, they will receive an automatic email asking them to upload the reference, so you do not need to supply the reference letters yourself in the first instance - just supply the relevant contact details.
If English is not your first language or your previous studies have not been completed in English, you must have an IELTS score of 7.0 (Band B). More info can be found through Warwick's International OfficeLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window.

What are our current students researching?

Some of the topics currently being studied by doctoral students in CIM include:

Twitter, the City and the Gut: Re-Writing the City Landscape with Health-related Knowledge
Digital Theatres of Transparency
The Politics of Algorithmic Management
An Ethnography of Facebook and the Production of Value in a Political Campaign
A reconsideration of the notion of medium through the work of American metaphysician Wilfrid Sellars
"The authority of the steam": power dynamics of digital production in the Bitcoin blockchain
Meme Theory
An Exploration of Freedom and Surveillance in Cybernetic and Anarchist Approaches to Self-organization in Transhuman Techno-utopias
Intergenerational memory in practices of care in Ecuador: the cases of agroecological farming and traditional midwifery
Understanding Hashtags

What our students say

“I’m extremely grateful to have done my PhD at CIM. I really don’t think I could have done my project, which was interdisciplinary by nature, anywhere else. At the same time, I think CIM’s interrogation of ‘methods’ changed my own intellectual outlook on how knowledge might be researched and produced. It helped that everyone was lovely and welcoming, too!"
- Scott

"CIM afforded me the space and freedom to pursue my research interests. I always felt fully supported and encouraged in an intellectual environment that was challenging, stimulating and diverse. Researchers, students and professors are all working on a variety of compelling projects and getting a glimpse of their interests and activities was priceless and very inspiring for me."
- Silvia

“CIM is a truly multidisciplinary environment and provided me with the expert advice of outstanding scholars to conduct research in the fields of political culture and online media studies that I was always passionate about. The academic and administrative staff were very supportive when I needed them most and provided me with the space and freedom to conduct a challenging and high-quality academic research project."
- Esteban

"Completing my PhD in CIM was a greatand challenging experience, and I actually enjoyed the defence! This was largely due to the fantastic guidance of my supervisors and readers at CIM, and the unique research environment that brews in the Centre." - Pablo

Alumni Useful links

CIM PhD Programme

CIM offers doctoral students the opportunity to carry out an interdisciplinary research programme of their own design. Through our wide in-house expertise, as well as the links we foster with other departments, we offer a stimulating environment that will challenge and support you throughout your study. The diverse expertise and research interests of our academic staff can be found here.

Apply here

Our other courses:

MA Digital Media and Culture

MASc Data Visualisation

MSc Big Data and Digital Futures