ESRC WRDTP Associated Studentship - Digital Futures at Work

The Economic and Social Research Council is the UK&#039;s largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues.<br /> 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. <br /> 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:<br /> +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. <br /> +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. <br /> 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. <br />

<p><strong>Closing date for application forms –  17:00 (UK Time) 3 July 2026</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 <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-ceric/dir-record/research-projects/1696/esrc-centre-for-digital-futures-at-work">ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work</a> (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 <a href="https://digit-research.org/">Digital Futures at Work Research Centre</a>.  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. </p> <p>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><strong>Project – Developing systems of employee voice within digital transformation at the workplace</strong></p> <p><strong>Placement Hosts:  <a href="https://www.ilo.org/">International Labour Organisation (ILO)</a> and <a href="https://www.cipd.org/uk/">Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)</a></strong></p> <p>Involving employees in the digital transformation process may improve workforce trust, assist in the redesign of jobs and work roles, and support investment in skills upgrading.  While there is a longstanding body of research on systems of workplace voice (in unionised and non-unionised settings), the relationship between voice and new digital technologies has been under-examined, particularly regarding the challenges posed by AI around the restructuring of jobs and digital supervision.</p> <p>The study will use company-focused case studies in the UK finance and insurance sector, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches with larger unionised and smaller non-unionised workplaces.  </p> <p>The student will have the autonomy to shape their project, in collaboration with partners from the <a href="https://www.cipd.org/uk/">Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)</a> and the <a href="https://www.tuc.org.uk/">Trades Union Congress (TUC)</a> through potential internships.</p> <p>All students will receive extensive and robust methods and research management training through the <a href="https://digit-research.org/mid-and-early-career-researchers/">Digit Doctoral Network (DDN).</a></p> <p><strong>Duration of the Award:</strong></p> <p>1+3.5 Studentships:  Full-time (4.5 years) or part-time (pro-rata);<br /> +3.5 Studentships:  Full-time (3.5 years) or part-time (pro-rata);<br /> +3.75 Studentships:  Full-time (3 years 9 months) or part-time (pro-rata).</p> <p><strong>Funding</strong></p> <ul> <li>The award will cover fees at standard Research Council rates;</li> <li>A maintenance grant (£21,805 in Session 2026/27 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/">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> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <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"> ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide</a> and be willing to abide by the conditions and regulations therein.</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 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 July 2026.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p><strong>Stage 1</strong></p> <ul> <li>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.  You should clearly state that you are wishing to apply for the ESRC WRDTP Associated Studentship and give the project title –  <strong>‘Developing Systems of Employee Voice Within Digital Transformation at the Workplace’.</strong></li> </ul> <p>In order to be considered for the studentship, you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application of study (listed on the <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees-apply/doc/apply-4">Leeds University Business School’s website</a>).  Please note that applicants wishing to apply for this ESRC WRDTP Associated Studentship are not required to provide a research proposal as part of their study application, but should include the project title stated above.</p> <p><strong>Stage 2</strong></p> <ul> <li>Once you are in receipt of your 9-digit Student Application ID, complete the <strong><a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/esrc-white-rose-dtp-associated-studentship-2026">online ESRC studentship application form</a> </strong></li> </ul> <p>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">Guidance for Student Applicants</a> and <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q9E4T1clh0pSf4v_2YilEzK_6iSqFFuCIimIH1U1F4s/edit?tab=t.0">Assessment Criteria</a>, which provide further information about how to complete the form and how your application will be assessed.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (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 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.

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 application process, please contact the <a href="mailto:phd@lubs.leeds.ac.uk?subject=ESRC%20WRDTP%20Associated%20Studentship">Faculty of Business Admissions Team</a></p> <p>For further information about the project, please contact <a href="mailto:M.A.Stuart@lubs.leeds.ac.uk?subject=ESRC%20WRDTP%20Associated%20Studentship">Mark Stuart</a></p>