Scholarships & funding

CoSS PhD Scholarship – Public oversight of digital surveillance for intelligence purposes: A comparative case study analysis of oversight practices in Southern Africa

Digitisation has provided intelligence agencies with the capabilities to conduct surveillance at an unprecedented scale, which requires effective oversight to limit the potential for abuse. In many countries, oversight is usually carried out by official institutions such as Parliament, courts, independent statutory offices, or an ombudsman, whose role is to monitor and review surveillance capabilities to ensure that intelligence agencies use them effectively and lawfully. However, across southern Africa – where digital surveillance is expanding - these official oversight institutions lack the power and resources to perform these functions. Consequently, oversight in these countries typically is conducted by the public, through, for instance, challenging unjustifiable secrecy, publicising abuses and organising campaigns to rein these agencies in. Through comparative case study research exploring lessons from key moments when public oversight has been attempted in the region, research undertaken under the auspices of the Global Professorship will develop a model for successful public oversight of digital surveillance. The PhD studentship will draw on the work of the research team and explore its relevance for public oversight in the UK.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria

• Applicants will have a good Masters degree (or overseas equivalent)
• Applicants will have a demonstratable interest in the topic under investigation.
• Applicants should be in a position to study full-time, as the Global Professorship lasts for four years, and the PhD candidate will be starting in the second year.

Please note that all applicants must also meet the entry requirements for the Sociology, PhD. 

Value

The scholarship is available as a full-time +3 (3 year) programme only. The programme will commence in January 2024. The funding includes:

• An annual stipend at the UKRI rate
• Fees at the standard home rate or International rate
• Students can also draw on a Research Training Support Grant, usually up to a maximum of £750 per year

How to apply

Please see here for full details and how to apply.

Closing date: 11 September 2023

For more information contact: Jane.Duncan@glasgow.ac.uk