I’m just posting a call for applications for a PhD fellowship in Critical Policy Analysis and SNA:

http://www.concordia.ca/artsci/research/graduate-student-opportunities/sociology-and-anthropology/phd-fellow-in-critical-corporate-research-social-network-analysis.html

It’s for a project looking at the influence of the ‘Big Four’ professional service firms (Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG) in public policy-making. I’m looking for a PhD student who is actively researching or interested in Social Network Analysis and/or Critical Policy Studies.

The student does not need to be at Concordia, but they must be actively doing their PhD over the next two years.

It’s a one year position, renewable for a second year, commencing in September 2019.

Could you please forward it along to folks who you think might be interested? Deadline is 31 April.

Thanks, and all the best.

—Chris

Chris Hurl, Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Concordia University

PhD: Doctoral Fellow in Critical Corporate Research / Social Network Analysis

Brokering Infrastructures: Transnational Professional Service Firms and the Politics of Valuation in Canada and Germany

About the research

This project, “Brokering Infrastructures: Transnational Professional Service Firms and the Politics of Valuation in Canada and Germany,” will investigate the influence of professional service firms in assessing urban infrastructure projects from a cross-national comparative perspective. Undertaking a study of value-for-money assessments in municipalities across Canada and Germany between 2008 and 2019, it will investigate the extent to which these firms have been able to position themselves as intermediaries, actively brokering the flow of policy information and expertise transnationally. It will explore the degree to which such firms have facilitated the convergence of infrastructure policies across different jurisdictions, as well as mapping their embeddedness in political and economic networks cross-nationally.

Financial commitment

The doctoral fellowships based in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology will be will be 40 hours per month.

Two positions will be offered:

• September 2019 to August 2020: $13,440.00 
• September 2019 to June 2020: $11,200.00 

Selected candidates will also be considered for merit-based entrance awards, as well as tuition fee remissions based on residency eligibility.

Requirements

The candidate should be applying for or enrolled in a PhD in Sociology or a related discipline.

Experience with Social Network Analysis and relevant software (UCINET, R, Gephi) is an asset. Experience in the financial sector or with accounting or related fields is an asset. Strong theoretical interest in areas relating to financialization and critical accounting studies is an asset.

Please contact Chris Hurl for further information.