A PhD is the ultimate step in university education. Those awarded the degree will become the next generation of researchers, university teachers and leaders in their fields. The prerequisite for entry into the PhD programme is a BA Honours or MA degree in which performance has been of a sufficiently high standard to satisfy the University Senate of the student's ability to successfully complete a doctorate. Usually this means a grade no lower than B+ for an MA degree, or no lower than A for a BA honours degree.
Applying to study for a PhD in the Media, Film and Communication programme
The application process consists of two steps. Before this begins, look at our staff profiles to see what work we do and who might best fit as a supervisor for your research.
The first step of your application process involves the academics in the programme considering a research proposal and writing sample. If the proposal and writing sample are supported, the applicant will be invited to move to step two.
The second step of your application process involves formally applying to the University's central administration for admission and scholarships.
To start the application process, that is step one, you will need the following documents:
- A research proposal, including a bibliography (400–700 words and a select bibliography of one page). Proposals for the PhD must indicate the research field, topic and methodology
- A writing sample (an example of your best and most academically informed work). Otago graduates with a grade of B+ or above in the MA do not need to submit a writing sample
- A transcript from your most recent degree-granting institution
- Two paragraphs (approximately 500 words) that identify your preferred supervisor and explain how they are a good match for your project (see below for areas of expertise). If you have been in contact with a possible supervisor, mention this as well
- If English is not your first language, a brief statement about your experience in writing in English or your ESL (English as a Second Language) test scores
The above documents must be submitted to:
Dr Christian Long
Email christian.long@otago.ac.nz
The process of assessing these documents usually takes about two to three weeks.
When considering who would fit as a supervisor
Our areas of expertise in communication and media studies include:
- Aotearoa New Zealand, Australian, US, Canadian, German, Japanese, and Korean media
- Social media personalisation and polarisation
- Online social movements
- Extremist political movements
- Media and extremism, populism, cyber-libertarianism
- Recognition theory
- Critical phenomenology
- Adolescent identity development
- Epistemic injustice in the algorithmic era
- Affective media and publics
- Critical theory
- Baudrillard studies
- Discourse analysis; postcolonial studies
- Psychoanalysis/Lacanian theory
- Gender Studies
- Ethnographic methodologies
- Mobile and ubiquitous media
- Media and activism
- Media policy
- Political economy of media
- Popular culture in Asia
- Intercultural communication
- The use of technology in instruction
Our areas of expertise in film studies include:
- UK, European, Hollywood, and Australian cinema
- Feminist media studies
- Audio-visual essays
- Film and media theory
- Alternative cinema, infrastructuralism, spatial analysis, dystopian and post-apocalyptic film
- Bureaucracy