PhD Human Ecology

The School of Human Ecology aims to foster interdisciplinary research in areas at the intersection of human society, non-human beings and the biophysical environment. The research programme at the School is guided by the idea that environmentalconcerns and challenges such as resource depletion, ecological degradation and conflicts result fromcomplex interactions of social and environmental factors, and therefore meaningful intervention inthese debates should be informed by knowledge and skills on a wide range of subjects. Theuniqueness of the PhD programmestems from its proposal to synergistically link the natural sciences and social sciences to explore and understand environmental issues as well as its emphasis on field-based learning and research.

The aim of PhD coursework and the dissertation is to create multi-disciplinary range ofknowledge as well as to create depth in a core discipline. A successful PhD candidate at SHE is thusexpected to develop understanding of a specialised subject area which is enriched, strengthenedand informed by other disciplines that may have a bearing on her/ his research question.

Research Themes

The thematic areas in which research is carried out at the School of Human Ecology and with which PhD candidates can affiliate include:
Social transitions and environmental change
Livelihood and environment linkages
Applied ecology and ecosystem management
Policy and politics of natural resource management
Health research from ecological perspective

Enrolment Period

The period of enrolment of duration of a doctoral candidate is normally 3 to 4 years, as described in the University Research Studies Regulations. Any extension of that period will be in accordance with the same regulations.

Mentorship and Monitoring

A candidate is admitted given satisfactory performance in admission activities. There must be a satisfactory match between the research interests of the student and the ongoing research activities of faculty within the SHE (and affiliated faculty). No matter how excellent her/ his previous academic career, an applicant should not expect to be admitted to the programme if AUD faculty members are unable to supervise the proposed research. A supervisor for every PhD student should be appointed soon after admission, subject to University regulations.

A School-level Research Advisory Committee (RAC), consisting of the supervisor and two other members, will be set up for each admitted PhD candidate within the first semester of a candidate’s enrolment for the purposes of close mentoring and monitoring of his/her progress. Apart from the supervisor, at least one other member of the Committee should be a regular faculty member of AUD.

Coursework Requirement

The PhD programme has two distinct components: course work and dissertation.

The course work of PhD programme shall normally consist of several courses of two or four credits each, totaling 16 credits. A minimum of 16 credits of coursework is mandatory for students entering with an MA/MSc degree. However, the coursework requirement for PhD students entering with an MPhil (or equivalent) degree can be waived partially or fully by the SHE Research Studies Committee (RSC) depending on his/her educational background and the specific skills required for his/her research topic.

Pre-Dissertation Requirements: Synopsis Defense and Pre-Submission Viva

In terms of pre-dissertation requirements, the SHE RSC requires the presentation and defense of the PhD research proposal at a meeting of the RSC within three full semesters of enrolment. The number of semesters required for defense of the PhD research proposal may be extended to five semesters if recommended by Research Advisory Committee and approved by the RSC. After completing their research, doctoral students shall also be required to present and discuss their research findings, prior to dissertation submission, in one or more formal meetings (‘pre-submission viva’) as stipulated by the RSC. At least one of these events must be a public function open to members of the University. The purpose of such exercises is to elicit comments and feedback on the research project that may be incorporated into the dissertation with the help of the Supervisor(s). The timing of the pre-submission viva shall be decided by the RAC and the RSC as per the research studies regulations.

Dissertation

Completion and successful defense of a doctoral dissertation is the ultimate requirement of the

programme. The SCR and statutory bodies of the University shall announce criteria with respect to length and format of doctoral theses, to stylistic matters and citation of research materials. The candidate is expected to follow the advice of the doctoral supervisor/co-supervisors in such matters as accumulation, analysis and writing up of research material, as well as communication and publication of results.

Introduction to Ecological Theory and Applications
Development and Social Change
Environmental History of South Asia
Social and Political Nature
Environmental Law, Policy-Making and Governance
Environmental and Ecological Economics
Methods in Human Ecology

Bridge courses or independent study/ seminar courses are also offered to PhD candidates, as per the requirements of the candidate and following advice of the Research Advisory Committee.

To promote interdisciplinary study of complex socio-ecological issues at multiple spatial scales
To foster interdisciplinary perspectives, knowledge and skills from the natural and social sciences about the relationship between human societies, non-human beings and the biophysical environment
To develop and foster links of teaching and research to the world of practice in the areas of environment and development
Ability to connect perspectives from ecological and social sciences to understand complex socio-ecological issues at multiple spatial scales
Ability to understand the role of power and politics in outcomes of environmental and social actions
Ability to apply competencies acquired to understand and address real world problems, scenarios and case studies

Eligiblity Criteria

Candidates must have already obtained an MPhil degree, or in addition to holding an MSc/MA degree, have displayed special research aptitude (such as completion of a research thesis or project of comparable scope from a recognised University, or have a comparable record of scholarly publications).
They must have passed with at least 55% or an equivalent grade in the last academic degree.
They must obtain a combined minimum score of 55% in the proposal assessment, entrance test and interview for unreserved category candidates (with appropriate relaxation for candidates from reserved categories).
The weight of the Research Proposal is 25%, the Entrance Test is 50% and the Interview is 25%
Candidates’ proposed research should align with the specializations of SHE faculty. The School reserves the right to decline admission to candidates in cases where the topic does not align with specialization and/or research interests of SHE faculty.
Each research proposal will be put through plagiarism-check software. Cases of plagiarism are grounds for summary disqualification of a candidate’s application.

Course Code	Course Name	Credit
SBP3PM102	Theoretical & Critical Perspectives in Management Research	4
SHE3ED103	Development & Social Change	4
SHE3ED104	Environmental History of South Asia	4
SHE3ED106	Environmental Law, Policy-Making and Governance	4
SHE3ED101	Methods in Human Ecology	4
SHE3ED105	Social and Political Nature	4