ESRC WRDTP Studentship - 'The Role of Probation in the Expansion of Electronic Monitoring: Organisational, Cultural & Supervisory Implications

PGR-F-452

Key facts

Deadline: Wednesday 11 March 2026
Funding start date: Thursday 1 October 2026
Number of funding places: 1
Country eligibility: International (open to all nationalities, including the UK)
Source of funding: Research council
Key staff: Dr Laura Bainbridge and Dr Matt Tidmarsh
Additional staff: Professor Henry Yeomans
Schools: School of Law

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

The Economic and Social Research Council is the UK's largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues. The University of Leeds is part of the ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership forming a collaboration between the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Sheffield Hallam, Hull and Manchester Metropolitan. These social science studentships are available to UK and international (including EU) applicants in seven named Thematic Interdisciplinary Training Pathways and can be held full-time or part-time for the following award types: +3.5 programme: funding for a 3.5-year PhD. Typically, applicants with a social science Masters degree and with 60 or more credits (or equivalent) of M-level social science research training are those most likely to benefit from this option. +3.75 programme: funding for an integrated PGCert/PhD. Typically, applicants with a social science Masters degree, but who have not undertaken core research training are those most likely to benefit for this option. 1+3.5 programme: funding for a 1 year Masters programme, followed by the 3.5 year PhD. Typically, applicants without a social science Masters degree are those most likely to benefit from this option.

An ESRC White Rose DTP Collaborative Studentship is available in the School of Law, with the project title ‘The Role of Probation in the Expansion of Electronic Monitoring: Organisational, Cultural and Supervisory Implications’. Collaborative Partner: HM Inspectorate of Probation Pathway: Security, Conflict and Justice (SCJ) Closing Date for Applications: 17:00 (UK Time) 11 March 2026 This project explores the organisational and cultural implications for the Probation Service in England and Wales of the expansion of electronic monitoring (EM) and its impact on those subject to supervision. The prison population is at a record high. In an attempt to alleviate the prison capacity crisis and increase public confidence by rendering community sentences 'tougher', the Sentencing Bill 2025 includes a presumption that an additional 22,000 prison leavers will be 'tagged' on release as part of 'intensive supervision'. The Probation Service will assume responsibility for implementing this policy shift, with practitioners assessing prison leaver suitability for EM and enforcing licence conditions. In the wake of the Sentencing Bill 2025, probation’s increased involvement in enforcing EM and the implications for EM wearers demand urgent scrutiny. This PhD’s overarching aim is to investigate probation’s role in the expansion of EM, from the perspectives of probation staff and individuals subject to monitoring. The research questions are: <ol> <li>How do probation practitioners understand and enact their role in implementing, managing and enforcing EM?</li> <li>What are the organisational and cultural implications of EM expansion for the Probation Service?</li> <li>How is EM experienced by prison leavers? How are their relationships with probation practitioners impacted by the Service’s role in implementation and enforcement?</li> </ol> Accordingly, the project speaks to a pressing need for research on probation’s role in implementing the expansion of EM, while making an original, empirical contribution to academic knowledge on the intersection of EM, probation practice, and organisational culture. More broadly, it will contribute to debates on multi-agency relationships and the growing role of technology in criminal justice. A 3-month Research in Practice placement will be provided by HM Inspectorate of Probation. Duration of the Award: 1+3.5 Studentships: Full-time (4.5 years) or part-time (pro-rata); +3.5 Studentships: Full-time (3.5 years) or part-time (pro-rata); +3.75 Studentships: Full-time (3 years 9 months) or part-time (pro-rata). Funding <ul> <li>The award will cover fees at standard Research Council rates;</li> <li>A maintenance grant (£20,780 in Session 2025/26 for full-time study, pro-rata for part-time study). This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate announced on the <a href="https://www.ukri.org/apply-for-funding/studentships-and-doctoral-training/get-a-studentship-to-fund-your-doctorate/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">UKRI</a> website</li> <li>Research Training Support Grant, which covers travel and research costs during the PhD part of the award – variable amount depending on the scheme, plus other allowances where applicable;</li> <li>Please be aware that any expenses related to the relocation of international students (including EU) to the UK (visa, insurance, NHS fees, flights etc) would be their responsibility and is not covered by this award.</li> </ul> Other Conditions <ul> <li>Applicants applying on both a 1+3.5, +3.5 and +3.75 basis MUST in the first instance apply for a place on a standard 3-year research postgraduate programme and be in receipt of a Student ID Number to be eligible for an ESRC White Rose DTP Studentship. Applications without a valid ID Number will be rejected;</li> <li>+3.5 and +3.75 awards must be taken up on 1 October 2026; 1+3.5 awards must be taken up in September 2026;</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this Studentship;</li> <li>All WRDTP programmes include an integral 3-month ‘Research in Practice’ placement as standard;</li> <li>Applicants should read the<a href="https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ESRC-200825-ESRC-Postgraduate-Funding-Guide-August-2025.pdf" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline"> ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide</a> and be willing to abide by the conditions and regulations therein.</li> </ul> Selection Process After a School selection process, applicants will be informed as to whether they are being nominated for an ESRC WRDTP Studentship. The White Rose Academic Quality Committee will review the nominations and decide on the final list of 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. The final outcome is expected towards the end of April 2026.

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

Stage 1 <ul> <li>First of all <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">apply for a research programme of study </a>by completing the application form. You should clearly state that you are wishing to apply for the ESRC WRDTP Collaborative Studentship and give the project title – ‘The Role of Probation in the Expansion of Electronic Monitoring: Organisational, Cultural and Supervisory Implications’</li> </ul> In order to be considered for the studentship, you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application of study (listed on the website for the School/Faculty) in which you are applying to study. Stage 2 <ul> <li>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-wrdtp-collaborative-studentships-2026">online ESRC studentship application form </a></li> </ul> Before completing the studentship application form, you are strongly advised to read the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1saycu9B59xGLQdYz0drFFTsjLlCW84smbEAMAGClcrc/edit?tab=t.0" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">Guidance for Student Applicants</a> and <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q9E4T1clh0pSf4v_2YilEzK_6iSqFFuCIimIH1U1F4s/edit?tab=t.0" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">Assessment Criteria</a>, which provide further information about how to complete the form and how your application will be assessed. After receipt of your Studentship application, the relevant Admissions Team will provide further advice on your suitability for either a 1+3.5, +3.5 or a 3.75 studentship and advise whether you should undertake the MA Social Research (Interdisciplinary) programme. If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below). 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.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

Applicants must meet the entry requirements of their nomination 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.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

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.

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

For further information about the application process, please contact the Faculty of Social Sciences Admissions Team, email: <a href="mailto:applypgr.socialsciences@leeds.ac.uk?subject=ESRC%20WRDTP%20Collaborative%20Studentship" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">applypgr.socialsciences@leeds.ac.uk</a> For further information about the project, please contact Matt Tidmarsh, email: <a href="mailto:s.gonzalez@leeds.ac.uk?subject=ESRC%20WRDTP%20Collaborative%20Studentship" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">m</a><a href="mailto:m.j.tidmarsh@leeds.ac.uk?subject=ESRC%20WRDTP%20Collaborative%20Studentship" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">.j.tidmarsh@leeds.ac.uk</a>