Funded Research Studentship

[Geoff Hodgson <g.m.hodgson@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Colleagues

RESEARCH STUDENTSHIP

Please note that an advertisement for two research studentships appeared in
the Times Higher Education Supplement on 30 November 2001 (page 46).

One of these studentships is for someone do to research under my direction
on "The Evolution of Institutions", leading to a PhD (subject to University
of Hertfordshire regulations). More details of this research appear below.

The research studentship is tenable for three years. An annual bursary is
payable, which is currently 8100 GBP, and University registration fees are
waived. The successful candidate must possess good first degrees.

The closing date for applications is 10 January 2002. For further details
and an application form please contact Mrs Ruth Grillo, Business School,
University of Hertfordshire, Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13
8QF. Email r.grillo@xxxxxxxxxxxx Telephone (44) 1707 285 516.

I shall be pleased to discuss the proposed research with any prospective
candidates. Email g.m.hodgson@xxxxxxxxxxxx Telephone (44) 1223 290 251.

THE EVOLUTION OF INSTITUTIONS

The analysis of institutional evolution is at the cutting edge of research
in the social sciences today. This interdisciplinary research project will
build on a body of literature and expertise this area, much of which has
been developed in the last 10 years. At the University of Hertfordshire,
the Centre for Research in Institutional Economics (CRIE) is currently
bringing together four strands of research. These four research strands
have all developed strongly in the last decade, but hitherto have not been
synthesised.

The four strands are as follows. First, the development of agent-based
computer simulations. Second, the social-theoretic analyses of the
relationship between structure and agency, principally in philosophy and
sociology. Third, the use of concepts and analogies from evolutionary
biology. Fourth, the emergence of evolutionary psychology and the
rehabilitation of the concepts of habit and instinct therein.

The CRIE project will bring together and develop insights from all four
research strands and develop new ideas based on the synthesis. Some pilot
work has been done in this area and its implications for the understanding
of institutional evolution have been demonstrated. International
collaborative projects are also being developed.

In building up its research team, CRIE proposes to accommodate a funded
student, working towards a PhD, to work on ANY ASPECT of the above
research. It would be helpful if applicants would outline their particular
expertise, their knowledge of the area and the type of contribution that
they would envisage making to the project.

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Geoff Hodgson
Research Professor
University of Hertfordshire
http://www.herts.ac.uk/business - look up "Staff & Students" for my home page
http://www.geoffrey-hodgson.ws
Mailing Address:
Malting House, 1 Burton End, West Wickham, Cambridge CB1 6SD, UK
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