Hi everyone,

I've got a funded PhD studentship on offer for a full-time student to start in September 2019 at the Maths Education Centre, Loughborough University, UK.

The area is the Philosophy of Mathematical Practices, for a project on "The Social Dimension of Mathematics". The application is relatively straightforward, and has a deadline on the 15th of February 2019.

Full details on how to apply can be found here. https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BPA175/the-social-dimensions-of-mathematics

Please share this with any students who might potentially be interested.  They should feel free to get in touch with me at  F.Tanswell@lboro.ac.ukF.Tanswell@lboro.ac.uk>

Best regards,

Fenner


Full Project Detail:

In recent years, the philosophy of mathematics has seen a growing interest  in the day-to-day practices of doing mathematics, giving rise to a new set  of philosophical questions. For example, from this perspective mathematics  can be seen as a collective and social discipline exploring interesting,  deep and creative mathematical ideas. However, this gives rise to a  tension with the objective and rigorous status of mathematics, for that seems incompatible with the fallibility of individuals and groups of people. In this project, the student will choose from questions within this area, such as how the social structuring of mathematics as a discipline affects the mathematics that we produce; what role is played by the judgments of what sort of maths is good, bad, interesting, deep, rigorous or worth pursuing; what the social role of proofs is in communicating, convincing and explaining mathematical concepts and techniques; how we should induct students into these practices; and how maths is used in society more widely. The project can draw on the recent advances in epistemology, such as social epistemology, epistemic injustice and virtue epistemology. Furthermore, the research may build on existing  approaches to the empirical investigation of mathematical practices developed at the MEC in Loughborough, to design and carry out studies of direct relevance to the major philosophical questions.

The Mathematics Education Centre at Loughborough University is a world-class research centre with a thriving graduate community. The Centre hosts research groups on Mathematical Cognition and Mathematical Pedagogy. There is an active programme of workshops incorporating seminars by external and internal researchers (including PhD students) and reading group sessions.


Entry requirements:

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in philosophy, mathematics, education, sociology or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: philosophy, mathematics, education, sociology or a related subject.

Funding information:

This studentship will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who have applied to this project and/or any of the advertised projects prioritised for funding by the School of Science.

The 3-year studentship provides a tax-free stipend of £14,777 (2018 rate) per annum (in line with the standard research council rates) for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. International (non-EU) students may apply however the total value of the studentship will be used towards the cost of the International tuition fee in the first instance.