Closing date: 8 July 2024
Funding providers: UKRI and Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering
Subject areas: Physical Geography / Science-based Archaeology
Project start date:
Project supervisors:
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Physical Geography
Mode of study: Full-time
Project description:
One of most iconic sites in American dendrochronology is the National Historical Park at Chaco Canyon. Timbers from multi-storey pueblo houses such as the iconic ‘Pueblo Bonito’ were among the very first used in the development of the science of dendrochronology by A.E. Douglass (1929). Remarkably, of the 7,708 wood samples from Chaco Canyon currently held in the Laboratory of Tree Ring Research (University of Arizona) only about 36% could be dendrochronologically dated. This can be quite typical at such sites, where there is often a large quantity of shorter lived or complacent wood that has not been suitable for traditional dendrochronological work, but which never-the-less offers substantial potential to augment our understanding of the site and its environmental history. This collaborative research project, in partnership with Professor C. Pearson and S. Belmecheri at the Laboratory of Tree Ring Research (University of Arizona) aims to apply the emerging technique of stable isotope dendrochronology to previously undated timbers, with a view to refining the chronology of this site and presenting a test case to be modelled at other SW sites. The project will also aim to develop an isotope-based palaeoclimate reconstruction capable of capturing the true magnitude of extreme “mega-drought” events and to explore their development and persistence through time, in concert with patterns of increased rainfall thought to correspond with periods of site expansion.
For more details please see here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/physical-geography-ukri-su-phd-refining-2024-rs637.php
Candidates must hold a UK bachelor’s degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours or overseas bachelor’s degree deemed equivalent to UK honours (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in geography or a related field, OR master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) (see country specific qualifications). Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency.
Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations.
If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.
This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend at £19,237.
Additional research expenses will also be available.
o apply, please complete your application online with the following information:
In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.
*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.
One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.
We encourage you to complete the following to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University:
As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via e-mail). We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised application closing date. Please note that your application may not be considered without the documents listed:
Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Professor N.J. Loader (n.j.loader@swansea.ac.uk).
*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.
Discover a range of postgraduate research funding opportunities at Swansea University Now more than ever, we recognise the importance of offering a ...