PhD Studentship: Re-reading for Wellbeing (Aston Stylistics Research Centre) Aston University in United Kingdom

This fully funded PhD studentship at Aston University offers an exciting opportunity to join the Aston Stylistics Research Centre (ASRC), a vibrant group of internationally-renowned scholars and doctoral researchers dedicated to applied linguistics and humanities research. The project, 'Re-reading for Wellbeing', investigates the phenomenon of re-reading texts and its impact on reader wellbeing, empathy, and emotional response. While the text remains unchanged, the reader's attitudinal, social, or contextual stance evolves, leading to new perceptions and interpretations with each reading. Despite its significance, re-reading as a habitual practice has not been extensively explored in literary, linguistic, or stylistic research.

Under the supervision of Dr Chloe Harrison and Dr Natalia Stanulewicz-Buckley, the successful candidate will:

• Explore how and why people re-read texts.
• Examine cognitive stylistic frameworks to explain attentional and emotional changes during first and subsequent readings.
• Review interdisciplinary research on re-reading and attention, including narratology, stylistics, literary studies, psychology, and cognitive linguistics.
• Design and implement an empirical reader study to capture real readers’ responses to re-reading.
• Investigate the relationship between re-reading, empathetic alignment, emotional responses, and reader wellbeing.

The ideal applicant will have a strong background in applied linguistics and/or cognitive stylistics. Experience in empirical literary studies or reader response analysis is highly desirable. Applicants must hold (or expect to achieve) a First or Upper Second Class Honours undergraduate degree and a Masters degree with Merit or Distinction in relevant subjects. Overseas qualifications are considered if equivalent. Applications must include transcripts, certificates, a research statement, personal statement, CV, two academic references (at least one from your most recent university), evidence of English language proficiency, and a passport copy. English language requirements can be submitted later if not currently met.

This studentship covers all tuition fees and provides an annual stipend. The successful candidate is responsible for relocation, campus visits, visa, flights, and NHS Surcharge. International students must ensure they meet the financial requirements for their visa. The position is based at Aston Campus in Birmingham, UK, with regular in-person visits expected. Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams.

For further information or an informal discussion, contact Dr Chloe Harrison at [email protected]. For application process queries, contact the Postgraduate Admissions team at [email protected]. Apply via the provided link and ensure your application is complete, as incomplete submissions will be automatically rejected.