Dr Paul Ryder

Paul Ryder teaches strategic design, strategic dynamics, structuralism, semiotics, and communication theory at the University of New South Wales. His current research sees the application of high theory vis-à-vis an emerging 'general grammar of strategy'; a hermeneutics of strategy contingent upon what Michel Foucault calls 'the grid of strategy and tactics' (see 'Society Must Be Defended'). In this connection, and as a preliminary step to the greater enterprise, Ryder has developed a three-dimensional tripartite construct that models strategy's internal dynamics. The model applies to any field in which strategy is scoped, architected, mobilised, or reflected upon: the military domain, the commercial milieu (including the arena of business management consulting), the realm of politics, the sphere of communication studies, and so on. While the foregoing is Ryder's major research focus, he is also interested in impact investing (for social enterprises), strategic studies, critical discourse analysis, advertising strategy, public relations, and the structural semantics and semiotics of war film. He has a more than casual interest in modern fiction and, as a hobby, also publishes in this area. Here, his particular interest is in the automobile as a narrative engine in early twentieth-century British and American literature. Ryder has founded successful educational, communications, and management consulting enterprises, and draws on this extensive experience both in his research activity and in the university classroom.

Prior to expressing interest in having Paul supervise your doctoral dissertation, you are encouraged to read some of his publications. If you are an international student, you should be aware that securing an Australian scholarship will not be at all easy. Offshore applicants should have recent IELTS examination results averaging 7.0. All prospective PhD candidates must have at least an upper second class Masters thesis of 20k words behind them, have strong references (including from the supervisor of the Masters thesis), and the best applicants will also have publications in reputable journals. Initial expressions of interest should include more than a general idea of the field to be investigated. For example, a pitch such as 'Dear Paul, I'd like to write a dissertation on strategy' will not get a terribly enthusiastic response. Instead, you are encouraged to: 1. Briefly outline the problem/issue/research gap to be addressed; 2. Articulate a coherent proposition (ie., what it is that you will argue); 3. Develop two to three key questions; 4. Outline your proposed research methodology and methods (200 words); 5. Offer a brief (c. 400-500 word) literature review; 6. Produce an analytic narrative of around 200-250 words (i.e., drawing from the literature review, point to the theoretical engines that will drive your argument); 7. Discuss the value of the research in light of the foregoing; 8. Include a reference list (APA7 format) of no fewer than ten significant essays/articles and /or books. Once your initial EOI is received and evaluated, Paul may invite you to an online meeting in which the proposal will be further discussed. Should that discussion please both parties, you will then be invited to lodge a formal EOI—nominating Paul as a potential chair supervisor. Paul has supervised 12 doctoral dissertations, in most instances as chair.