Child and Youth Research (Structured PhD)

The PhD in Child and Youth Research is a four year full-time or six year part-time structured PhD programme delivered as part of a collaboration between the School of Psychology and the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre (CFRC) at the School of Political Science and Sociology. 

This interdisciplinary programme responds to an identified need for researchers with the requisite, high-level and wide-ranging experience and skills to undertake the kind of work that is needed in an evidence-informed policy environment.

The programme combines thesis and taught modules.  All students must complete a major dissertation (c.80,000 words).  The taught modules which are delivered in years one and two provide course participants with the opportunity to widen their knowledge and skill base as well as feeding into the development of their thesis work. 

A wide range of topics are covered including:

• Children’s rights
• Child protection
• Working with Commissioners
• Randomised controlled trials in applied social settings
• Social context of child development (role of family, peers, culture)
• Pro-social behaviour and risk-taking in young people
• Masculinity and emerging adulthood
• Theories of child development
• Early years provision
• Spaces and places of childhood
• Political Theory, Children, and Young People
• Participatory Research Methods with young people
• Sociological perspectives on childhood

Programme aims

• To prepare programme participants to conduct high quality policy and practice-relevant research and programme evaluation with children and young people


• To develop programme participants’ knowledge and skills in key theoretical, methodological, policy and practice areas relating to children


• To provide graduates with the set of generic work-skills to facilitate their successful entry into the full range of employment settings 

 Application Process

Closing date for 2017 entry is 12pm on Friday, 18th August.

 Applications must include the following:

 A personal statement (300 words)

• A curriculum vitae


• Two letters of reference from academic referees. Referees are asked to place their reference into a sealed envelope and to sign the seal of the envelope.


• A research proposal (1000 words)


• All candidates must identify what staff member(s) they have consulted (if any) during the development of their proposal. Candidates are encouraged to consult with a potential supervisor before applying.

 The research proposal (1000 words) should outline:

A title/topic

• Background / literature review
  
  
  
  • Please draw on relevant literature, identify gaps in the literature and identify the novel contribution of the proposed research
  
  
  • What is the issue you want to address?
    
    
    
    • Identify your research question & ensure you have given a rationale for this research
    
    
    • How do you intend investigating the proposed area of research?
      
      
      
      • Possible issues to consider include proposed design, participant details, procedure for data collection, data analysis, ethical issues.
      
      
      
      

      Before preparing your proposal, applicants are required to make contact with potential supervisors and consult the research topics or themes in which supervision may be available. See link below. You are encouraged to develop a proposal in one of these areas.

      
      

      The proposal plays an important role in the assessment process, as it provides the panel with information on the candidate’s research knowledge and suitability. However, depending on the number of applicants and supervision capacity, the proposal may not necessarily be the topic of your thesis.

      
      

      An offer of a place on the programme is contingent on the availability of an appropriate supervisor. Please consult Supervisors Intake  for 2017 intake. 

      
      

      Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.