Effect of changing employment patterns on the local accent of speakers from North East England (HHS-2026-11)

About the Project

This project charts the effect of changing employment patterns on the local accent of speakers from North East England. Building upon previous research which demonstrated that the loss of the coal mining industry entailed a decline in traditional speech features among local males, this project reflects how the industries which have taken mining’s place affect local people’s speech.

The intention is to compare how people who work in manufacturing speak compared to those who work in the service sector. Manufacturing work in the region is no longer spread evenly across individual villages, where each community used to have its own pit. Instead, it is concentrated in a larger location outside the local area, with workers commuting from all over the wider area. This shift permits a wider exploration of the spatial effects of commuting, suburbanization, and place identity more generally on language contact, with the potential for dialect levelling or koineization to occur.

Equally, a range of other service sector jobs have emerged, including contact centre work for national/multinational companies. These occupations are sensitive to how language is used by workers, given that a high degree of the work involved relates to convincing customers to buy a product, or to avoid complaining about a service.

This project permits an investigation of the ways in which workers in manufacturing and service sectors speak similarly or differently from one another, and whether a linguistic work 'persona' exists in either or both of the work contexts. Contact centre workers might be expected to style-shift to more standard or 'clear' pronunciations due to the nature of their work, but equally there is evidence that contact centre locations are chosen based on the local accent's friendliness or relatability, so equally workers may be encouraged to shift towards their local vernacular with customers.

For subject specific enquiries please contact: t.devlin@hud.ac.uk

How to Apply

You must submit your application in full by Friday 19th June 2026, including the following documents:

• A motivational email as to why you wish to apply for the scholarship, stating which project you are applying for.
• A 2,000-word research proposal outlining how you plan to undertake for the research topic you are applying for. For further guidance on writing a research proposal, please refer to the following webpage: https://www.hud.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/writing-a-research-proposal/
• Full CV
• Provide copies of transcripts and certificates of all relevant academic and/or any professional qualifications.
• Provide references from two individuals – (at least one to be an academic reference) please contact your referees and ask them to send your references directly to pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk from their work email address. (references can be submitted late but must be received by 29th June 2026).
• Proof of eligibility – e.g. scan of passport photo page
• Please state the research topic number and title in the subject area of the email

Please email pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk with queries regarding eligibility and submitting documents. Informal enquiries about individual projects should be directed to the lead supervisor listed for each project.

Type of Award: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Eligibility: Applications are welcome from UK applicants only; ideally with an MSc in a relevant subject area, applicants with a First-Class Honours degree may also be considered.

Location: Huddersfield/Online

Funding: Fee waiver

Duration: 3 years full-time / 6 years part-time