The University of Northampton, Faculty of Business and Law PhD Studentship

The Faculty of Business and Law is looking to build on the University of Northampton’s distinctive values around social impact and the location of its new £330 million campus in the heart of Northampton by encouraging world quality research in areas that will have a strong local impact. As part of this initiative, the Faculty is delighted to announce a fully funded PhD studentship in partnership with Goodwill Solutions CIC, a Northampton-based logistics company. This post will add to the Faculty’s growing Postgraduate Research Student community, comprising both PhDs and DBAs.

The University of Northampton is committed to research that not only generates new knowledge, but is also designed to help improve people’s lives and the environment. The University also has a strong reputation for supporting our doctoral students which was recognised in positive feedback in the 2022 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) that saw the University ranked third for progression, fourth for research culture, sixth for supervision and seventh for resources.

Trained to Deliver: The Social Impact of Logistics Training & Provision

The goal of the research study, is to Investigate the employment and work-based inclusion of individuals with and Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) [Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)] within the logistics sector and develop materials that promote best practice in support and training for these groups. The bursary is sponsored by Goodwill Solutions CIC, the largest social enterprise logistics company in the UK. The research will be focused on the work of Goodwill Solutions CIC, and its logistics training programme combined with specific apprenticeship models for SEND (including LDD/SEMH). Whilst the studentship will primarily focus on the design of such apprenticeship models from a pedagogic perspective, the research will also consider employer engagement processes (e.g., disability confidence) and local authority support networks, to come out with best practice approach to supporting SEND (including LDD/SEMH) individuals as  supply chain professionals. The research will identify the social value delivered through the programme, and their associated holistic approach to logistics through the associated education, training, volunteering, and charitable activities delivered to support individuals with SEND (including LDD/SEMH). The study will utilise theoretical approaches embedded in pedagogic research and social innovation, so as to ensure that the outputs produced make significant contributions to academia, as well as policy and practice.

The research will take the form of a PhD, with a consultancy research model embedded within it to ensure that early outputs can be used by Goodwill Solutions CIC (who are funding the studentship) to improve their engagement with SEND (including LDD/SEMH) groups and demonstrate the wider social value of SEND (including LDD/SEMH) inclusion. The project will run for three years, over which time annual reports will be produced for Goodwill, alongside updates on the progress of the research and ongoing validation of the work. The PhD research will be delivered by the University of Northampton’s Institute for Social Innovation and Impact (ISII), an international leader in social and educational innovation. The successful candidate would be embedded within the Faculty of Business and Law.

We are looking for a pro-active candidate who can demonstrate a strong interest in researching how apprenticeships in the logistics sector can support individuals with SEND (including LDD/SEMH). Previous experience and knowledge of these areas will be advantageous.

This is an exciting project for someone to conduct empirical work that will have real impact on Northamptonshire, the UK and globally. The ideal candidate will enjoy the combination of both practical skills, such as engaging with logistics networks, clients and beneficiaries, while developing their academic skills and knowledge.

This can lead to a wide range of career opportunities in academia, education, logistics and/or related fields.

Supervisory Team:

For further information or an informal chat please contact:

Northampton’s Institute for Social Innovation and Impact (ISII):

• Professor Richard Hazenberg, Director ISII (richard.hazenberg@northampton.ac.uk)
• Dr Claire Paterson-Young, Research Leader ISII (claire.paterson-young@northampton.ac.uk)
• Dr Michael Maher, Post-doctoral Researcher ISII (michael.maher@northampton.ac.uk)
• Dr Meanu Bajwa-Patel, Visiting Fellow ISII (meanu.bajwa-patel@northampton.ac.uk)

Studentship Details

• Start Date: October 2024
• Application deadline date: Sunday 26^th May 2024
• Interview date: w/c 17^th June 2024
• Duration of award: 3 years (October 2024 to September 2027)
• Eligibility: This funding is open to UK & EU.
• Funding: Annual bursary of £15,000, plus £1,000 of travel expenses. The bursary also included the waiving of the PhD fees (£5,085 per annum).

Informal enquiries: please email the relevant supervisors as listed above

To apply:

In the first instance you should read through our Research degree application checklist on our main how to apply page and entry requirements listed below, which contains all the information of what you need to do and consider when applying.

Entry requirements:

Academic:

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their international equivalent:

• an upper second-class or higher undergraduate degree with honours in a relevant subject to the proposed area of research or a Masters degree in a relevant subject to the proposed area of research.

English Language Requirements:
If English is not your first language you will be required to prove your competency in English, showing an IELTS score of at least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in writing, and 6.5 in all other sub-skills (or equivalent English proficiency qualification) at postgraduate research level.

Once you have read through the above information you then need to make an application online directly to the University, so we may determine if you are eligible for the course.  This is a free online application service.  

Application link to apply:

https://sits.northampton.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=DPHDSSENL3FUN&code2=0001

With your application we recommend providing the following documentation:

• Personal Statement - to indicate their suitability for the post
• CV
• two references– please note: your referee is unable to be a member of your potential Research Supervisory team
• photocopies or scans of your undergraduate degree certificate and transcript
• photocopies or scans of your Masters certificate and transcript
• evidence of English language ability (where English is not the first language)
• copy of your passport
• change of name document if your application and certificates or passport are in different names

Studentship: Supporting individuals with Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) within the Logistics Sector (PF9)

Academic year: 2024-2025

Keyword: STU19005

Deadline for applications: 26^th May 2024

Start date: October 2024