The Oxford - Christopher Ainsley Graduate Scholarship in Geography and the Environment was established in 2022 in the memory of Christopher Ainsley who read Geography at Christ Church between 1976 and 1978 and who died in 2021. It was established with the generous support of his friends, particularly his close friend and contemporary Martin Alderson-Smith, with match funding from the University of Oxford Graduate Endowment Match Scheme (GEMS).
The Oxford-Christopher Ainsley Graduate Scholarship is open to applicants wishing to pursue a DPhil (PhD) in Geography and the Environment. The scholarship will cover three years of University tuition fees for a doctoral student along with a maintenance allowance (at standard UKRI rates) and will be available starting in the 2023/24 academic year.
SoGE and Christ Church aim to attract and admit students with outstanding academic potential irrespective of their background or ability to pay. Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of the academic missions of SoGE and Christ Church, who aim to attract and admit students with outstanding academic potential whatever their background, providing a unique experience including the chance to work with leading academics in world-class facilities.
Applications are welcome from eligible candidates with a background in Geography or a related social science, physical or environmental discipline in any area of SoGE's research activity. As a first step, please explore our website and get in touch with the member of the academic staff who seems most appropriate to supervise your research; if in doubt, contact our Director of Graduate Studies Dr Ian Klinke (ian.klinke@ouce.ox.ac.uk). This initial contact will confirm if that member of staff is able to supervise your research, and if so, will give you advice about how to prepare your application.
Candidates wishing to apply for this scholarship should apply for a place on our DPhil programme in the usual way, by Friday 20 January 2023. This is our deadline for considering all scholarship applications. Candidates should also complete the application form below by the same deadline.
Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic merit and potential. The information provided in the application form will be used alongside the information submitted as part of the graduate admissions process to assess how a candidate meets these criteria.
The award is only tenable at Christ Church; however, it is not necessary to nominate Christ Church as your college choice when applying.
Further information on making the Oxford University Application is available on our International Graduate School webpages and the University of Oxford website.