FACULTY OF BUSINESS. PhD Studies. Achieve something really significant

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1 FACULTY OF BUSINESS PhD Studies Achieve something really significant

2 THE ULTIMATE RECOGNITION OF EDUCATIONAL AND INTELLECTUAL ABILITY Studying for a PhD is a considerable but rewarding challenge. It is an opportunity to become an expert in your chosen topic and to make both an academic and practical contribution to knowledge. By developing strong analytical and methodological skills, with the support of your supervisors and other academics, you will produce research which is original and relevant. Some of the reasons you might choose to study for a PhD: I enjoy the process of undertaking research, to identify problems and find ways to solve them; therefore for me it was a natural choice to study for a PhD. My career goal is to do research and become an academic; studying for a PhD has become truly important in pursuing this career route. At Oxford Brookes, although we are working on very different research projects, we are always encouraged, inspired and motivated by each other. to improve your prospects of highly paid employment to pursue a personal challenge to follow an academic interest to increase your opportunities of working abroad. Sharing and exchanging information and experiences, is one of the most important resources for my PhD. FANG WANG PhD student Oxford School of Hospitality Management As an Oxford Brookes doctoral student you will become part of the Faculty of Business academic community and you will be connected with one of our four departments: the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics the Department of Business and Management the Department of Marketing the Oxford School of Hospitality Management. 2

3 Our research contributes to scholarship and the advancement of practice. PROFESSOR GLAUCO DE VITA Professor of International Business Economics 3

4 WHAT DISTINGUISHES A PhD FROM ALL OTHER DEGREES IS THE FOCUS ON RESEARCH At Brookes you will experience the diversity, quality and research culture within the Faculty of Business. Staff research at the Faculty of Business enjoys a growing reputation and attracts committed and productive research-active staff. In the most recent government evaluation of research (UK Research Assessment Exercise 2008), a high percentage of the research output returned by the Oxford Brookes Faculty of Business was judged to be of international standing. Our researchers have been extremely active in disseminating their findings. For example, during the period from 2007 to 2012, more than 250 articles were published in refereed journals and a considerable volume of papers were presented at conferences in the UK and overseas. The overall academic approach facilitates an environment where one is strongly encouraged to develop one s own ideas and build on them; this leads to original and creative advances in answering important research problems. The critical element in any PhD programme remains that the research student must be self motivated with a clear research interest in theory and applied theory. Oxford Brookes provides just the right academic environment and educational mix to help a PhD student grow as a serious researcher, by giving robust guidance and direction to that self motivation and drive. I definitely recommend the Oxford Brookes PhD programme to others. Best-selling textbooks and monographs have been written in subjects such as tourism, marketing, e-marketing, research methods, accounting, corporate governance, financial management and coaching and mentoring. We have secured many research grants, often in partnership with other organisations. Researchers have been able to attract funds from such diverse organisations as the British Academy; Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development; Department of Trade and Industry; Economic and Social Research Council; English Tourism Council; Learning Skills Councils; The Leverhulme Trust; National Health Service trusts; Waste and Resource Action Programme and The Wellcome Trust. We have also successfully bid for significant Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) grants. These are often for research programmes dealing with the processes of learning and teaching. In addition, we have undertaken consultancy and research to provide information and competitive advantage for commercial clients. KIRAN KARROUCHI PhD student Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics 4

5 We encourage PhD applications that fit within these research foci and a list of current specific research topics is available on our website: ACCOUNTING, FINANCE AND ECONOMICS The main focus of research within the department is on how accountability is achieved, explored from both theoretical and practical perspectives and encompassing a range of disciplinary and methodological approaches. Research is currently conducted into corporate governance, external reporting and internal control structures and processes in a range of organisations, including large UK Plcs, local and central government and charities. Researchers also investigate the thinking which underpins accountability in practice, such as stakeholder theory and accounting conceptual frameworks. In the information management area, our expertise focuses on IS in SMEs and teleworking. Research in economics focuses on aspects of international trade, environmental economics and climate change, social cost-benefit analysis, political economy and international economic development. BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT The department s research interests span several academic disciplines: coaching and mentoring, international business, human resource management, organisational studies, pedagogy and strategic management. This diversity is also reflected in epistemological variety. Faculty publish in leading journals in these fields and are active in the main national and international conferences relating to each disciplinary area. A strong overarching theme of the department is the bridging of theory and practice: our research aims to provide new academic insights and to be relevant to managers, policy makers and other stakeholders. Latest research outputs are disseminated through our publications and a wide array of teaching interfaces. MARKETING We are particularly interested in consumer behaviour, customer engagement and retention strategies, service quality delivery, branding (including political branding and brand mapping), target market strategy and digital marketing. The department s staff publish in these areas, chair conference tracks and manage special interest groups for the Academy of Marketing and other influential bodies. A strong theme is the bridging of theory and practice: we strive to develop new concepts and ensure relevance and applicability to marketing professionals needs. We ensure a strong synergy between our teaching and research activities, so that the latest research outputs inform our students understanding of the subject. OXFORD SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT The school has a strong, collaborative and creative research culture, developing knowledge and skill capacities in hospitality and tourism management. In particular the focus is on International Business Development, for example branding, revenue management and entrepreneurship and franchising; as well as on Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibilities, for example risk and crisis management, environmental management and sustainability and responsible business. In 2011 a survey in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, ranked the school as number one in Europe for hospitality research, and top in the world for research productivity. 5

6 OXFORD THE CITY OF DREAMING SPIRES Oxford has a historic reputation as a prestigious world leader in higher education. As one of the most famous centres of learning in the world, Oxford is a vibrant, student-friendly city. It attracts students, scholars, residents and visitors from all over the world giving it a truly international atmosphere. The buildings demonstrate an example of every English architectural period since the arrival of the Saxons, including the iconic, mid-18th century Radcliffe Camera. Alongside the historic buildings, Oxford has plenty of green space with numerous parks and many scenic walks along the rivers and canals. Apart from being a beautiful city, Oxford is famous for its writers and poets, including Oscar Wilde, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, P. D. James and Colin Dexter. As such, it has many connections with art, culture, music and literature and is home to world famous attractions including the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers museums, and the Sheldonian theatre. In Oxford students have access to considerable research resources. In addition to the Oxford Brookes University library, students can also make use of Oxford University s Bodleian Library, one of the oldest and largest libraries in Europe. Another resource in Oxford is Blackwell's Bookshop which claims the largest single room devoted to book sales in the whole of Europe, the cavernous Norrington Room (10,000 sq ft). Ideally located just one hour away from London, Oxford is very accessible and well situated for exploring the rest of Britain and Europe. 6

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8 THE PhD PROGRAMME Carrying out a PhD involves the production of an individual and original research study. Typically, you will spend the first period of your PhD developing a literature review and a rigorous methodology. You will then undertake extensive primary field research, analysis and evaluation leading to the production of a 100,000-word thesis that is defended in an oral viva. You work with a supervision team that normally consists of two academics who are able to offer you focused guidance in your subject area and methodology. However, support extends beyond your immediate team. There is an expanding research community of over 80 doctoral students in the Faculty of Business with focused but wide-ranging interests. The academic development of doctoral students is encouraged through regular seminars and various other activities such as specialised workshops, the Annual Joint Research Conference with the Burgundy Business School and the Research Methodology Summer School. All students have access to a conference allowance, as long as the request is approved by your tutor. The PhD programme is supported by the faculty s Research Office and the university s Graduate School, and students have access to all the support services provided by the university. A PhD student has the option of taking the appropriate internal training to work as an Associate Lecturer, supporting the faculty s undergraduate or postgraduate teaching. We invite PhD applications based on specified research topics. A list of the topics currently being offered is given on our website: A full-time PhD generally takes between three and four years and a part-time PhD takes between four and six years. A PhD by published work is available to those who have some existing connection with the university as detailed on the website: The Faculty offers a dedicated Doctor of Coaching and Mentoring (DCM) programme which fosters excellence in professional practice by developing your capacity to become a leader in the field of coaching and mentoring. Further details can be found at: 8

9 ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS SEMINARS Each Semester the faculty runs a series of seminars, in which PhD students give a 20 minute presentation to an audience of their fellow research students and doctoral supervisors. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE METHODS WORKSHOPS These workshops are open to all PhD students in the Faculty of Business. We currently run Level A workshops (for beginners in Semester 2) and Level B workshops (for experienced students in Semester 1). I have found the Oxford Brookes PhD programme to be very supportive, offering an intellectually stimulating and collegial environment. The student PhD presentations proved to be a good practice ground for novice researchers and professionals alike and I benefitted immensely from them. They afforded participants an opportunity to develop their skills before delving into external conference waters. The Research Methodology Summer School is an excellent feature of the Oxford Brookes PhD that positions both the university and its students competitively in the market. The PhD years spent at Oxford Brookes are really worthwhile and I highly recommend the programme to anyone considering the PhD route. PhD RESEARCH METHODOLOGY SUMMER SCHOOL A week-long PhD Research Methodology Summer School has been held during the past few years in tandem with Newcastle Business School. Extensive preparation provides a powerful spring-board to an exhausting but exhaustive week of both formal and informal discussions. DOCTORAL EVENTS Research students are invited to all general research events organised by the Faculty Research Office. These include writing retreats, seminars given by senior researchers and sessions on publishing your research. Research students are also invited to present papers at the Annual Joint Research Conference with the Burgundy Business School. GENERAL UNIVERSITY EVENTS Students at Oxford Brookes University are encouraged to participate in a wide range of events which are organised by the university. An extensive calendar of events is ongoing throughout the year and it includes open lectures from prominent speakers, presentations on a variety of subjects, seminars and training. TABANI NDLOVU PhD student Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics 9

10 APPLYING FOR A PhD Applications for Research Degrees at Oxford Brookes are submitted electronically through the UKPASS system. Please register and complete the online application here: Once you have completed your submission through UKPASS, you should our Research Office at business-research-office@brookes.ac.uk with your name, contact details, chosen topic, your supporting documents and your research proposal. In order to be considered for the programme, you must submit all of the following: A completed application through the UKPASS system Two academic references (these can be submitted through UKPASS) Copies of your previous degree transcripts and certificates A 2,000-word research proposal Evidence of funding (if the candidate is receiving funding from a sponsor). International students should have an IELTS score of at least 7.0 (or equivalent) or be able to demonstrate previous university-level study in an English speaking country. Applicants are responsible for contacting their own referees and requesting that references be forwarded to the Faculty of Business. Please pay particular attention to the 2,000-word proposal, the elements that we expect to be covered are on If you are selected for interview, the proposal will form an important part of the discussion with the interviewers. Students normally start in either January or September and there are specific application deadlines for these entry points. Please check our website for entry points and eligibility requirements. For an informal conversation about applying for a PhD or to find out more about the requirements for your research proposal, please call us on +44 (0)

11 I took advantage of the range of opportunities offered to PhD students at Oxford Brookes. I attended a wide range of workshops which included topics such as academic writing, oral presentations, preparing for interviews and managing an academic career. I also engaged in the Associate Teachers Course which supported my teaching as an Associate Lecturer. Both the teaching opportunity and the research workshops increased my confidence and opened doors for me to progress smoothly, complete the PhD in good time and secure an academic post. DR VICTORIA WALIGO Postdoctoral Research Fellow 11

12 FACULTY OF BUSINESS PhD Studies For further information telephone: +44 (0) NPD MAY