ESRC WRDTP Collaborative Studentship - Civil Resistance and the Onset of Peace Processes

PGR-F-453

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 Margherita Belgioioso and Dr Masa Mrovlje
Schools: School of Politics and International Studies

<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 Politics and International Studies, with the project title: ‘Civil Resistance and the Onset of Peace Processes’. Collaborative Partner: Berghof Foundation Operations GmbH Pathway: Security, Conflict and Justice (SCJ) Closing Date for Applications: 17:00 (UK Time) 11 March 2026 Countries emerging from civil war face major challenges in building lasting peace, as unresolved root causes of war often reignite violence. While research has largely focused on the role of armed actors such as rebel groups, states, and international interventions in advancing sustainable peace, practitioners from local and international NGOs highlight the importance of unarmed, organised actors such as civil resistance movements. Evidence on the effectiveness of these movements in advancing peace in civil war-torn countries remains mixed. In Nepal and Colombia, civil resistance movements enabled communities to shape peace agendas, whereas in Yemen and Mali they had little impact or even undermined peace efforts. Why some movements advance peace while others falter remains unclear. This raises a central question: How do civil resistance movements influence the onset of peace processes in civil wars? This project is developed with the Berghof Foundation and aims at addressing this gap by systematically examining and abductively theorizing the role of civil resistance movements in initiating Colombian and Sudanese peace processes. Berghof Foundation is a major NGO with thematic and regional programs on peace support and conflict transformation in conflict-affected countries, including by working with civil society and social movements in Colombia and Sudan. This project investigates how civil resistance movements shape the onset of peace negotiations. It employs a comparative qualitative design, drawing on interviews with activists and negotiators involved in the Colombian Havana Peace Process and the Sudanese Juba Peace Process, integrating semi-structured interviews with process tracing and abductive theory-building. A 3-month Research in Practice placement will be provided by the Berghof Foundation. 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 – ‘Civil Resistance and the Onset of Peace Processes’</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 Margherita Belgioioso, email: <a href="mailto:m.belgioioso@leeds.ac.uk?subject=ESRC%20WRDTP%20Collaborative%20Studentship">m.belgioioso@leeds.ac.uk</a>