The Department of Economics at Trinity College Dublin seeks applications for one funded PhD studentship, as part of the Centre for Economics, Policy and History (CEPH), the Government of Ireland-funded centre of excellence that links economic historians at Trinity College Dublin with Queen’s University Belfast. The successful candidate will be based in Dublin and, as part of the terms and funding of this scholarship, they will be expected to make an extended research visit to Belfast. The studentship is fully funded for two years, covering all fees and providing a stipend. This stipend will support work towards a PhD, awarded on the basis of original research presented in a written thesis. The studentship is intended to support research into a substantive area of economic history under the supervision of one of the CEPH PIs (Prof Gaia Narciso, Prof Ronan Lyons, and Prof Marvin Suesse).

Economic history is an interdisciplinary field that uses the toolkit of economics to answer historical questions or solve historical puzzles. Like other historical scholars, economic historians have typically been hesitant to learn direct policy lessons from the past. The aim of this project is to change this. Understanding the deep historical roots of major challenges like global inequalities and climate change can help policymakers to address their consequences. Taking history seriously will significantly enrich the study of economics and sharpen its policy impact. Economic history research may also help to deliver policy outputs relevant to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Applied history has thus re-emerged as an approach to historical scholarship which brings rigour to lessons learnt from the past. At CEPH, the successful candidate will be working on pure academic economic history research that addresses a historical question or solves a historical puzzle. But they will then also be expected to adopt the applied history approach and translate their research into usable knowledge that can inform policymakers today.

Applicants must apply with a 2,000-word research proposal in any topic in economic history with scope for policy relevance. Although not required, applicants may wish to relate their research idea to the development of the Irish economy over time and/or to one of the following three themes:
1.            Institutions of growth and cooperation
2.            Development and wellbeing in comparative perspective
3.            Borders and the location of economic activity

The position is open to start in September 2024. The candidate should ideally hold or be in the process of completing a Master’s degree in economic history, economics, finance or a related degree in the social sciences. Informal enquiries may be directed to: Prof Gaia Narciso (narcisog@tcd.ie), Prof Ronan Lyons (ronan.lyons@tcd.ie) or Prof Marvin Suesse (marvin.suesse@tcd.ie).

Salary Scale:

• Year one and two – CEPH funding: Full fees (EU or non-EU), plus a maintenance stipend (€25,000), as well as €1,500 travel expenses for the duration of the studentship. In addition, a mobility grant of €5,000 is payable to cover additional expenses for an extended visiting studentship to Queen’s University Belfast.
• Year three and four – Department of Economic funding: Full fees (EU or non-EU) plus maintenance stipend according to the Department conditions concerning PhD students’ stipends.

Please apply by Saturday 10^th February 2024 to be considered for this scholarship.

See application details here: https://www.tcd.ie/Economics/postgraduate/research-degrees/requirements/