Routledge/Round Table Commonwealth Studentships

The first is open to registered PhD students from UK universities, although not necessarily UK citizens.

The second is open to registered PhD students from ACU member universities anywhere in the Commonwealth, and to Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarship alumni who are PhD students at any Commonwealth university outside the UK.

Proposed research must either:

• Relate to the Commonwealth as a whole or to any Commonwealth-wide institution or organisation
• Have a strong Commonwealth comparative aspect, or
• Be of relevance to a Commonwealth country other than the UK

The studentships are funded by The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs and the journal's publisher, Routledge, in association with the ACU.

Mentorship

As part of the studentship, applicants are required to identify and work with a mentor at an ACU member university in a Commonwealth country other than their own. This should be an expert in a subject linked to the applicant’s subject of research, who will be able to provide support and advice during the studentship. Before applying, applicants are encouraged to informally approach at least one potential mentor and, if their application is successful, will then be required to obtain a letter of support from their mentor to agree to the mentorship before their studentship is confirmed.

The role of the mentor

The mentor will be expected to hold a minimum of two virtual meetings with the student during the period of the studentship. They will be expected to be in contact with the student by email to share their experiences in their relevant field, provide advice around publishing, events and trends in their field, and to challenge and empower the student to consider new ways of thinking.

The mentor will also be expected to contribute to either the podcast or the article and will be paid an honorarium of GBP 500, payable at the end of the studentship. Mentors must read and abide by the mentor code of conduct guidelines.