ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work Scholarship

A highly competitive scholarship as part of the ESRC Research Centre for Digital Futures at Work (Digit). The Scholarship covers full fees with a tax-free maintenance (currently £20,780 in 2025/26, which rises annually in line with UKRI rates) for 3.5 years.

<p style="margin-bottom:11px">The scholarship will focus on a project entitled, ‘Building employment inclusion within the West Yorkshire regional digital skills eco-system.’ The research will examine how local authorities can develop an inclusive digital skills ecosystem in the regional labour market context. Key areas of interest will include the degree of digital skills readiness within regional economy restructuring and how the institutional capabilities in the region can foster digital skills upgrading and future sustainable employment. The studentship will combine both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches and interviews with key local policy actors, employers and workers. The research will involve collaboration with key local actors.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">The research will be supervised by <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/departments-people-work-employment/staff/541/professor-mark-stuart">Professor Mark Stuart</a> (Co-Director, Digit) and <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/departments-people-work-employment/staff/545/professor-charles-umney">Professor Charles Umney.</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">The scholarship will be located within the ESRC Research Centre for Digital Futures at Work (Digit), and based at Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds. Digit is a multi-institution research centre, established in 2020, led from the Universities of Leeds and Sussex (see: Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (Digit)). Digit has received to-date £18m of funding from the ESRC and offers a vibrant and supportive research environment for doctoral students, including the Digit doctoral and early career researchers’ networks. This prestigious studentship also provides additional support for consumables, training and conference attendance. In addition to Digit, the student will be able to take advantage of the world class research environment and facilities of Leeds University Business School, which includes one of the largest academic departments of work and employment in the UK (<a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/departments-people-work-employment">People, Work and Employment Department</a>). </p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">This opportunity is open to home and international applicants.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><strong>Duration and Value of the Award</strong></p> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">The award provides full academic fees and a maintenance grant (£20,780 in Session 2025/26) for full-time study, part-time will be pro-rata.  This amount increases per annum in line with the UKRI rate.  Full-time awards provide full fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years (Part-time awards are pro-rata).</li> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Please be aware that any expenses related to the relocation of international students to the UK (visa, insurance, NHS fees, flights, etc) would be their responsibility and is not covered by this award.</li> </ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 11px;"><strong>Eligibility Criteria</strong></p> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Applications are open to either International or Home (UK) applicants. </li> </ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 11px;"><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Awards must be taken up by 1 October 2026</li> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Candidates who have previously been awarded a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD are excluded from applying. Those who were previously studying for a PhD but did not complete may be considered</li> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">The awards are available for new Postgraduate Researchers undertaking full-time or part-time research study leading to the degree of PhD. </li> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this Scholarship.</li> </ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 11px;"><strong>Selection Proccess</strong></p> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Before you can apply for this Scholarship, you will need to apply for your study place and have your 9-digit student identification number. We strongly advise you to submit your study application at least 8 weeks before the scholarship/studentship deadline to allow the Admissions team time to process your application.</li> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">All scholarship applications will be considered after the deadline. Only complete applications will be considered.</li> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">The final list of awards are based on academic merit and no other factors such as financial hardship are taken into account.</li> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Applicants will be e-mailed within 6-8 weeks of the deadline to confirm the outcome.</li> </ul>

<p>First, apply for a research place of study, through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">online application form</a>.</p> <ul> <li>Please state clearly that the funding you wish to be considered for is “The ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work centre scholarship”</li> <li>Please state clearly in the research section that your research areas is Digital Futures at Work and the proposed supervisor as <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/departments-people-work-employment/staff/541/professor-mark-stuart?_gl=1*cdc3f2*_gcl_au*MTUxNDgyODkxNC4xNzY3Njg1ODg2*_ga*MTgxODg2Mjg0Mi4xNzY3Njg1ODg2*_ga_SEKE21EBEQ*czE3Njc3MDY1MzckbzUkZzEkdDE3Njc3MDY1NDQkajUzJGwwJGgxNTI0MTY1MTcz">Professor Mark Stuart</a>.</li> <li>You will be expected to meet our <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees-apply/doc/entry-requirements-4">eligibility criteria</a> for PHD candidates.</li> </ul> <p>In order to be considered, you must submit all the <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees-apply/doc/apply-4">required supporting documents</a> for your application for PhD study. This includes:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Degree transcripts and certificates</strong></li> <li><strong>Any English language test results (if applicable)</strong></li> <li><strong>A research proposal </strong>– this should be on the broad topic specified but applicants can pursue their own interests within this broad area. Applicants should provide a proposl that sets out what you wish to research and how it relates to the topic as detailed in this advert. You can find more guidance about writing a research proposal on <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees-apply/doc/writing-research-proposal">our website</a>.</li> </ul> <p>Any study applications that are not accompanied by the documents requested by the deadline of <strong>17:00 p.m. on 27^th March</strong> will not be considered for the award.</p> <ul> <li>Please note that an unsuccessful application for this scholarship does not exclude you from applying for other research study opportunities or scholarships offered by the University of Leeds. </li> <li>Please note that, due to the large volume of applications, the University of Leeds will not enter into any correspondence regarding the progress of an application until the outcome is known.</li> <li>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the minimum English language requirements (below). </li> </ul> <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 to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. Applicants should hold a British Masters degree (or equivalent degree from an overseas university) or an equivalent professional qualification. <br /> People, Work and Employment require a minimum average score of 6o percent (or equivalent at a non UK institution) and in an appropriate academic discipline in the Masters degree.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study at the Leeds University Business School is an IELTS of 7 overall with at least 6.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within 2 years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>For further information please contact the Admissions Team<br /> e: <a href="mailto:phd@lubs.leeds.ac.uk">phd@lubs.leeds.ac.u</a><a href="http://phd@lubs.leeds.ac.uk/">k</a></p> <p>Or the supervisors </p> <p>Professor Mark Stuart <a href="mailto: M.A.Stuart@lubs.leeds.ac.uk"> M.A.Stuart@lubs.leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>Professor Charles Umney <a href="mailto:C.R.Umney@leeds.ac.uk">C.R.Umney@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>