Gender, Sexuality, Women’s Writing and Feminism in Literature, Film and Creative Writing (Ref: SSH26-SF-English)

About the Project

These PhD projects are for those interested in exploring how gender is represented and re-defined in literature, film and/or creative writing. Whether you are interested in women’s writing, the construction and performance of gender identities, LGBTQ+ literatures, or women’s bodies, care and health, we have the supervisory expertise to support your research project.

In the English Department at Loughborough, we have published wide-ranging and internationally recognised research in areas relating to gender, women’s writing, sexuality and feminism, covering the span of literary periods (from early modern to contemporary) and across a variety of forms and genres.

The English Department is situated within the vibrant research culture of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities. Across the departments and research centres within the School there is internationally recognised expertise in social policy, feminist art history, gender, law and social justice, among other relevant areas.

As a doctoral researcher, you will be encouraged to participate in wider School and University events, including research symposia, visiting talks and conferences, as well as benefiting from the training and development opportunities provided by the Doctoral College.

Invitations are invited from PhD candidates with ideas for projects relating to the theme of Gender, feminism, and literature. This could include projects relating to topics including:

• Seventeenth-century women’s writing, midwifery and women’s reproductive health
• The Brontë sisters and male violence
• Sensation fiction by Victorian women writers
• Women’s contribution to publishing, editing and patronage
• Lesbian literature
• Women modernists and ideas of ageing
• Domestic labour in contemporary fiction

PhD researchers in these areas would be embedded and supported by a lively and diverse research culture, within the English department, the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the wider University.

This PhD project is suited to applicants who are looking to apply for funding via the Loughborough University-China Scholarship Council or who are able to self-fund.

Supervisor

• Prof Sarah Parker - S.L.Parker@lboro.ac.uk

Tuition fees for 2026-27 entry

• UK fee - £5,238 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee - £23,100 Full-time degree per annum

Fees for the 2026-27 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2026, February 2027 and July 2027.

UK tuition fees for 2026/27 are currently to be confirmed pending the release of the UKRI recommended rates. Once published, these rates will be subject to formal approval by the University before being confirmed.

Opportunity Details

• Target Start Date: October 2026
• Full time or part time available.
• Open to UK and international applicants.

How to Apply

We welcome discussions with interested candidates.

• Step 1: Interested applicants should first contact Prof. Sarah Parker (S.L.Parker@lboro.ac.uk) to discuss your research interests and funding options.
• Step 2: Applicants are then strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors with a CV, academic transcripts, and confirmation of funding sources or planned funding sources.
• Step 3: following any informal discussion, applicants are invited to make a formal application on the Loughborough Website.