ESRC WRDTP Associated Studentship School of Psychology - Cross-System Insights from Linked Public Service Data

The Economic and Social Research Council is the UK's largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues.<br /> <br /> The University of Leeds is part of the ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP), forming a collaboration between the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Sheffield Hallam, Hull and Manchester Metropolitan. Through this, the University is able to offer a range of social science PhD studentships.<br /> <br /> One +3 PhD Studentship is available, on a full-time (3 years) basis and is available for UK applicants only. <br /> <br /> Applicants must demonstrate that they have already completed substantial social sciences training in research methods which would enable them to undertake an independent research project in a particular discipline or interdisciplinary field.&nbsp; Applicants must have at least 60 credits at Masters level of core social sciences research methods acquired in the last five years.&nbsp; This must include a broad range of methods, including quantitative and mixed methods and the use of appropriate software/tools for their application, and comprehension of principles of research design and strategy, and an appreciation of alternative approaches to research.

<p><strong>Closing date for application forms –  17:00 (UK Time) 18 July 2025</strong></p> <p>This studentship must come under at least one of the seven named <a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/interdisciplinary-pathways/">ESRC Thematic Interdisciplinary Training Pathways</a>.</p> <p>This ESRC WRDTP Associated Studentship will be based in the ESRC <a href="https://vulnerabilitypolicing.org.uk/our-research-projects/">Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre</a>, providing access to the full programme of research and knowledge exchange and all the opportunities that this affords.  The centre was launched in November 2021, funded by a £10 million award from the ESRC, and is co-directed from the University of Leeds (Professor Adam Crawford) and the University of York (Professor Kate Brown), in partnership with the Universities of Durham, Lancaster, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Monash (Australia) and Temple (USA). The centre is the first of its kind to study how vulnerabilities - such as exploitation by county lines drug networks, online child sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, modern slavery, mental illness and homelessness - affect policing.</p> <p>This PhD project will explore how individuals experiencing disadvantage and/or vulnerability interact with multiple public services, including health, education, housing, social care and criminal justice.  Using linked administrative datasets, the research will explore new approaches to identify patterns of cross-service involvement, develop typologies of need, and uncover spatial and temporal trends.  Combining data science techniques with stakeholder engagement, the project aims to generate actionable insights that support more integrated preventative approaches to complex needs.  This interdisciplinary project is ideal for students interested in applied data science, public policy, and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations through evidence-based approaches.</p> <p><strong>Funding</strong></p> <ul> <li>The award will cover full academic fees</li> <li>A maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rates (£20,780 in Session 2025/26)</li> <li>Research Training Support Grant covering travel and research costs</li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li>+3 awards must be taken up on 1 October 2025</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this Studentship</li> <li>Applicants should be willing to abide by the conditions and regulations in the <a href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/esrc-postgraduate-funding-guide/">ESRC Postgradute Funding Guide</a> and <a href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/">UKRI Terms and Conditions</a></li> <li>Successful applicants may be asked to undergo DBS and other vetting/clearance procedures to access partner data</li> </ul> <p><strong>Selection Process</strong></p> <p>After a School selection process, applicants will be informed as to whether they are being nominated for an ESRC WRDTP Associated Studentship.  The White Rose Doctoral Partnership Academic Quality Committee will review the nominations and decide on the final awards.  The University will use the data provided in the application form for internal selection and statistical purposes and publish the names of the successful applicants within the University.</p>

<p><strong>Stage 1</strong></p> <p>First of all, <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">apply for a research programme of study</a> by completing the application form.</p> <p>In order to be considered for the studentship, you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application for study, as listed on the website for the School/Faculty in which you are applying to study.  Any study applications that are not accompanied by the required documents by the studentship deadline will not be considered for the award.</p> <p>Please note that an unsuccessful application for this studentship does not exclude you from applying for other research study opportunities offered by the University of Leeds.</p> <p><strong>Stage 2</strong></p> <p>Once you are in receipt of your 9-digit Student Application ID, complete the <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/esrc-white-rose-dtp-associated-studentship-2025">ESRC WRDTP online studentship application form.</a></p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (see below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants applying for a +3 award must demonstrate that they have already completed substantial social sciences training in research methods which would enable them to undertake an independent research project in a particular discipline or interdisciplinary field. An applicant must have at least 60 credits at M level of core social sciences research methods training acquired in the last five years. This must include a broad range of methods, including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods and the use of appropriate software/tools for their application, and comprehension of principles of research design and strategy, and an appreciation of alternative approaches to research.<br /> <br /> Applicants must meet the entry requirements of their nominating School. The ESRC also stipulates that for all studentships, students must have qualifications of the standard of a good honours degree at first or upper second-class level, from a UK academic higher education institution, or through a combination of qualifications and/or experience, be able to demonstrate equivalence. In the majority of cases, students will have undertaken an undergraduate course at a recognised UK higher education institution or equivalent international qualification. Prior qualifications may be enhanced to meet these requirements by the acquisition of at least one satisfactorily completed academic year of full-time study or its part-time equivalent towards a UK higher degree, if applying for an award without an undergraduate degree. Applicants must satisfy the nominating School's entry requirements AND the ESRC's minimum threshold.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>For further information about the project, please contact Professor Mark Mon-Williams</p> <p>e: <a href="mailto:m.mon-williams@leeds.ac.uk?subject=ESRC%20WRDTP%20Associated%20Studentship">m.mon-williams@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about the application process, please contact the Admissions Team<br /> e: <a href="mailto:fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk?subject=ESRC%20WRDTP%20Associated%20Studentship">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>