Creative Bridges PhD Studentships

Connecting Diversity and Sustainability for UK Screen Industries

Creative Bridges is an AHRC funded centre for doctoral training led by the University of Leeds with the University of Warwick and industry partners. Creative Bridges will train PhD students in the latest knowledge, methods and skills to help make the UK screen industries more diverse and more sustainable.

We are offering six studentships for 2026/27. Of these, four will be based at the University of Leeds and two at the University of Warwick.

Training and support will focus on your academic and professional development with year-round training and guidance. Bespoke annual one-day summer and winter symposia will contain tailored workshops, academic or industrial keynote speakers, hands-on tech demonstrations, networking, work in progress seminars, training courses and peer presentations. Placements of up to two weeks with an industry partner are also available, offering chances for learning, shadowing, or exposure to real-world media-diversity-sustainability challenges. Industry partners may also mentor you as you progress.

For further information visit our Creative Bridges CDT website.

There are two types of studentships available:

Project Studentship Session 2026/27 based at the University of Leeds

‘Blueprint for the Screen Industries: Where are creative workers living, working and playing in the UK today?’

This project has been co-designed with the BBC and invites a sustained period of research on the growth, development, and sustainability of the screen industry in the UK. Find out more on the Creative Bridges website.

Themed Studentships

PhD proposals must focus on one or both main research themes of sustainability and diversity. In addition, at least one of the following sub-themes must be included:

• Creative economy
• Screen sector work and freelancers
• Diversity and serving diverse audiences
• Sustainable screen gaming and immersive production and distribution

Please go to our Creative Bridges website for more information on each of these themes.

Funding

These scholarships include a doctoral stipend (equivalent to the Research Councils UK National Minimum Doctoral Stipend, £20,780

Studentships cover Fees for PhD study for standard registration (four years) plus a UKRI stipend for three and a half years.

How to apply

You will only be considered for a studentship if you complete each step by the Creative Bridges CDT deadline of Monday 20^th April 2026, 17:00 GMT.

Please see the Creative Bridges website for detailed guidance on how to apply.

Step 1 – application for a place of study
Identify and consult with a primary supervisor at either Leeds or Warwick and Apply for a PhD.

Step 2 – apply for Creative Bridges studentship
Once you are in receipt of your Student Application ID or Applicant Number complete the Creative Bridges CDT funding application form. 

Further information

Please visit the Creative Bridges website for more information or contact the Creative Bridges Team at creativebridges@leeds.ac.uk