[PDS Award] Preventing Species Loss for Human Health and Wellbeing: from Nineteenth Century Conservation to De-extinction and Rewilding

The President’s Doctoral Scholar Award at The University of Manchester offers a fully funded PhD opportunity focused on the prevention of species loss and its implications for human health and wellbeing. This interdisciplinary project explores the historical and cultural roots of conservation, de-extinction, and rewilding, tracing their development from the nineteenth century to the present. The research will examine how longstanding ideas about the therapeutic and restorative potential of nature have shaped efforts to restore threatened species and landscapes, and how these ideas underpin both de-extinction and rewilding strategies. Supervised by Dr Clara Dawson (English Literature), Prof Sadiah Qureshi (History), and Dr Duncan Wilson (History of Science), with additional support from Dr Tucker Gilman (Earth Sciences), the project is uniquely positioned to bridge literary and scientific perspectives. Students will have the opportunity to analyze how literature and science interact and influence each other, using methods from literary analysis, history, and the history of science, technology, and medicine (HSTM). The project is ideal for candidates with primary interests in literature, history, and history of science, particularly those wishing to research de-extinction and rewilding from an environmental humanities perspective. Applicants are encouraged to propose a potential corpus of texts and will have agency over the selection of materials covered in their PhD research. Eligibility requires a First class Bachelor's (Honours) degree and a Master's degree in a relevant subject, with strong academic performance. English language proficiency must be demonstrated through recognized tests or recent study in an English-speaking country. Applicants should have a background in literature and/or history, with interest or expertise in science or history of science considered desirable. The President’s Doctoral Scholar Award provides full funding for tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate, plus a £1,000 stipend enhancement for 3.5 years. Candidates are responsible for relocation and associated costs such as visa and health surcharges. The application deadline is March 18, 2026, and interviews are expected in May 2026. The University of Manchester is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and encourages applicants from all backgrounds. To apply, submit your application online for PhD English and American Studies, indicating your intention to apply for the PDS Award and including all required supporting documents. For further information or questions, contact Dr Clara Dawson at [email protected]. More details are available on the university website.