PhD in Sociology: Far-Right Mobilization and Community Responses in Ireland Trinity College Dublin in Ireland

Trinity College Dublin, Ireland’s leading university and ranked 75th globally (QS World University Rankings 2026), invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in the Department of Sociology. The successful candidate will join a vibrant academic community and undertake an innovative doctoral research project focused on far-right mobilization and community responses in Ireland.

The project centers on systematic case studies exploring how local communities respond to far-right mobilizations and how these responses influence local conflict dynamics and forms of belonging. Key research questions include: how do different social actors shape far-right mobilization in local communities, what factors influence engagement, and what are the consequences for cooperation, inclusion, exclusion, and belonging within communities?

The PhD project employs a mixed methods approach, offering the candidate the opportunity to conduct independent case studies and develop their own analytical and empirical strategies within the project’s scope. The research aims to generate new knowledge on communal and institutional responses to divisive far-right politics and the resulting social dynamics.

Throughout the program, the candidate will gain valuable skills in collaborative project management, research communication, and community-oriented research practice. Trinity’s Department of Sociology provides comprehensive academic, logistical, and intellectual support, integrating the candidate into a large and dynamic cohort of social science doctoral students.

Trinity College Dublin is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, welcoming applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, non-traditional career paths, or those displaced by conflict. The university is recognized as an EU Sustainable Gender Equality Champion and holds an Athena Swan Silver Award for advancing gender equality in higher education.

Applicants should submit a motivation letter (max. 1 page), CV, contact details for two referees, and a written sample with empirical analysis in English. Applications are due by 30th April 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the application portal or contact the department as specified in the full position description.