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Dr Dean Lockwood - Programme Leader
Dr Dean Lockwood is a Senior Lecturer in Media Theory. Dean has published journal articles and chapters in edited collections and regularly delivers papers, both solo and collaborative, to academic conferences. He is co-author of Cloud Time (2012) and Photography in the Middle: Dispatches on Media Ecologies and Aesthetics (2016).
Academic Staff List Make an EnquiryWelcome to MPhil/PhD Media and Cultural Studies (Research)
The Lincoln School of Film and Media offers a collaborative environment in which to undertake research at doctoral level.
Students can benefit from the School's research expertise, spanning media and cultural studies, film and television, and media and heritage, and opportunities to attend and present at research seminars, events, and talks within the School. This enables students to advance their knowledge and skills further.
As a researcher in the School, students can engage in a structured programme of training to develop the critical skills necessary for study. An experienced supervisory team can offer support and guidance on research, funding opportunities, attending conferences, and publishing work in recognised journals.
Welcome to MPhil/PhD Media and Cultural Studies (Research)
The Lincoln School of Film, Media and Journalism offers a collaborative environment in which to undertake research at doctoral level.
Students can benefit from the School's research expertise, spanning media and cultural studies, film and television, and media and heritage, and opportunities to attend and present at research seminars, events, and talks within the School. This enables students to advance their knowledge and skills further.
As a researcher in the School, students can engage in a structured programme of training to develop the critical skills necessary for study. An experienced supervisory team can offer support and guidance on research, funding opportunities, attending conferences, and publishing work in recognised journals.
How You Study
Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the majority of time is spent in independent study and research. Students will have regular meetings with their academic supervisor, but the frequency of these will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and stage of programme.
How You Study
Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the majority of time is spent in independent study and research. Students will have regular meetings with their academic supervisor, but the frequency of these will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and stage of programme.
How you are assessed
A PhD is usually awarded based on the quality of the student's thesis and ability to present and successfully defend their chosen research topic in an oral examination (viva voce). They are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.
The following provides a guide on what is expected for each award:
80,000 words for PhD thesis
40,000 words for MPhil thesis
How you are assessed
A PhD is usually awarded based on the quality of the student's thesis and ability to present and successfully defend their chosen research topic in an oral examination (viva voce). They are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.
The following provides a guide on what is expected for each award:
80,000 words for PhD thesis
40,000 words for MPhil thesis
Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Entry Requirements 2022-23
A Master's degree.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/ . These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
Please take note of the following guidance on research proposals:
- A research proposal will only be considered if we have academics in the school with an interest in your field. Please see the list of school research interests (on this webpage) and also staff profiles.
- The research proposal should be 1,000 to 2,000 words in length.
- Clearly define the topic you are interested in and demonstrate understanding of your research area.
- Include two or three research questions that you will explore in your research.
- Outline the range of research methodologies you will use to undertake the research.
- Include a provisional bibliography of primary and secondary sources.
- You might include a brief literature review of the key works that relate to your topic, particularly if this helps to exemplify the point below.
- Explain clearly how your research contributes to existing scholarship in the area; what gaps will it fill? How will it further knowledge of the area?
- Sketch out a provisional plan of work that includes research activities and a timetable for the writing of chapters.
- Make sure the proposal is well presented with sections and subheadings and is free of errors.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
A Master's degree.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/ . These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
Please take note of the following guidance on research proposals:
- A research proposal will only be considered if we have academics in the school with an interest in your field. Please see the list of school research interests (on this webpage) and also staff profiles.
- The research proposal should be 1,000 to 2,000 words in length.
- Clearly define the topic you are interested in and demonstrate understanding of your research area.
- Include two or three research questions that you will explore in your research.
- Outline the range of research methodologies you will use to undertake the research.
- Include a provisional bibliography of primary and secondary sources.
- You might include a brief literature review of the key works that relate to your topic, particularly if this helps to exemplify the point below.
- Explain clearly how your research contributes to existing scholarship in the area; what gaps will it fill? How will it further knowledge of the area?
- Sketch out a provisional plan of work that includes research activities and a timetable for the writing of chapters.
- Make sure the proposal is well presented with sections and subheadings and is free of errors.
Research Areas and Topics
Current media and cultural research interests include visual and digital culture, media ecologies, animation studies, sonic culture, horror studies, games studies, histories of media and communications, cultural theory, critical time studies, posthumanism and continental philosophy, intermediality, postdigital, and interdisciplinary and collaborative praxis, environmental photography and aesthetics, documentary photography, documentary film and media ethics, social engagement, activism in documentary practice, media and heritage, historical film and media.
Within film and television studies, research interests include television histories, gender and queer theory, race and representation, televisual fame, British cinema, African cinema, national and transnational cinemas, exploitation/experimental/marginal cinema, Hollywood cinema and star studies, children’s film and television, film and/as practice, script, and screenwriting theory.
Features
The Lincoln School of Film, Media and Journalism is home to a community of researchers undertaking projects relevant to life in a digitally connected world. Students are encouraged to engage with research at the School. Find out more on the School’s research pages here: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/fm/research/
How to Apply
Enrolment Dates
To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October, February or May.
In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may progress their careers in roles in the media and creative industries. A postgraduate research degree can be an important foundation for a career in academia or research.
Postgraduate Events
Find out more about how postgraduate study can help further your career, develop your knowledge, or even prepare you to start your own business at one of our postgraduate events.
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Research at Lincoln
Our research themes cover a unique set of areas, reflecting our role as a civic university and our aspirations to become thought leaders.

Studentships
There are opportunities to get involved in exciting research projects by applying for a studentship.

Supporting your Research
Support is available across the University, offering a friendly, creative, and academically challenging research environment.