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How Many PhDs in Creative Writing Exist?

Creative writing (or “creative nonfiction”, as it is sometimes known) is a unique form of doctoral dissertations in which novelists and short story writers give their ideas and opinions on a range of subjects. It can be a very useful tool for academics and a great way for creative individuals to pursue their passions and express their thoughts and feelings through literature.

However, due to its unique nature, it is often difficult to define exactly how many PhDs in creative writing exist. There are no official records, and the academic world largely disregards the subject. That being said, some universities that do offer degrees in creative writing have reported an increase in students interested in the field.

In this article, we will explore the various PhDs available in creative writing and the various career opportunities that exist after completing your doctorate. We will also list some of the most common research topics in the field.

The Various PhDs Available

Due to its flexible nature, creative writing offers great opportunities to those seeking to specialise in the topic. As with all doctoral research, the choice of topic is entirely up to you. You can opt to study a single theme or investigate several – it’s your choice. You can also focus on a particular author or work, or even create your own dissertation and teach yourself about creative writing and publishing.

Although there is no specific PhD in creative writing, you could choose to focus on one of the following areas:

  • English literature
  • Creative writing pedagogy
  • Creative writing for academic purposes
  • Creative writing and culture
  • Genre fiction
  • Feminist perspectives in creative writing
  • Postmodern fiction
  • Science and technology in speculative fiction
  • Memory and imaginative narration in children’s books
  • Children’s literature

If you have a genuine passion for the field and can see yourself making a meaningful contribution, you could do a lot worse than to specialise in creative writing. You will, of course, still need to qualify formally for a PhD, which you can do through either a graduate diploma in English or a professional Master’s degree.

Career Opportunities After PhD

Once you have completed your doctorate, you will have a lot to look forward to. Not only will you be able to add “Doctor” to your title, but you will also be able to look for work in any field you choose. If you want to continue your education, you can take up a post-doctoral fellowship or embark on a career in academia, either as a professor or as an academic therapist/sociologist/administrator.

If, however, you want to plunge straight into the “real world” and look for work, you will need to decide what field you want to specialise in. Since the above list includes a mixture of specific and general topics, it is a good idea to look for jobs in your chosen area of expertise. For example, if literature is your specialism, you may want to look for jobs in publishing or language teaching. If you want to become a science writer, you could look for jobs in science communication or policy research.

Even if you do not want to continue your education and decide to enter the workforce straight away, you could use your qualification to land a job in a related field. Alternatively, you could become a freelancer and use your expertise to create content for corporate or government clients.

In short, there are a lot of opportunities out there for doctoral graduates in creative writing. You will not necessarily need to “settle” for a job in academia after completing your doctorate, and you certainly do not need to feel that you have to specialise in one area. As long as you are happy with your topic, you can prepare yourself for any profession you may choose.

Research Topics In Creative Writing

Since the nature of doctoral research in creative writing is completely flexible, you can choose to focus on a single aspect of the field, or you can explore a variety of topics. Some of the most common research topics in creative writing include:

  • Creative writing and digital media
  • Fiction and autobiography
  • Genre fiction
  • Post-colonial fiction
  • Film theory and criticism
  • Critical theory and feminist research
  • Science and technology in speculative fiction
  • Memoir and identity

If you have chosen to examine a single topic, you will need to make sure that you choose a topic that is relevant and will contribute significantly to the field. In terms of relevance, you want to ensure that you are not investigating a topic that has already been thoroughly examined or that is already well-established. In the academic world, this kind of “repetition” is commonly referred to as “sibling rivalry” and is considered extremely poor research practice. As far as existing literature is concerned, you want to look for topics that have not been covered in depth before and have not been widely published – your aim is to contribute to existing knowledge rather than simply “reinventing the wheel”.