Funded Supervisor-led Collaborative Studentships Starting in October 2026

Are you looking for a funded supervisor-led collaborative studentship which will provide around £23,000 per year to undertake postgraduate study? Then read on!

SENSS, the South and East Network for Social Sciences invites you to apply for the following funded supervisor-led collaborative studentships starting in October 2026.

Research Project 1: Learning Beyond the Label: Enhancing Classroom Identification and Support for Children’s Wellbeing
Supervisor: Prof. Joni Holmes
SENSS Theme: Health, Wellbeing, and Social Care
SENSS University: University of East Anglia

Research Project 2: The Changing Landscape of Workplace Rights for Workers with Caring Responsibilities
Supervisor: Dr Ian Roper
SENSS Theme: Justice, Institutions and Social Change
SENSS University: University of Essex

Research Project 3: Youth, Trust, and Transformation: The Long Term Impact of Police-Led Support for NEET Young People in Barbados
Supervisor: Dr Amrish Patel
SENSS Theme: Justice, Institutions and Social Change
SENSS University: University of East Anglia

Research Project 4: Understanding the impact of place-based interventions to mitigate climate change on the mental health and wellbeing of young people in two deprived coastal communities in the UK and Brazil.
Supervisor: Prof. Victoria Bird
SENSS Theme: Sustainability and Climate Emergency
SENSS University: University of Essex

Research Project 5: Heat and violence against girls and women in the UK: potential impacts of climate change and critical analysis of adaptation
Supervisor: Dr Birgit Larsson
SENSS Theme: Health, Well-being, and Social Care
SENSS University: University of East Anglia

Research Project 6: From Catch to Kitchen: Learning from Recreational Anglers to Diversify UK Seafood Choices
Supervisor: Dr Rosalind Bark
SENSS Theme: Sustainability and Climate Emergency
SENSS University: University of East Anglia

Research Project 7: More than sleeps the eye – The role of REM-sleep and eye movements on the trajectory of distressing memories
Supervisor: Dr Hong-Viet Ngo-Dehning
SENSS Health, Wellbeing and Social Care
SENSS University: University of Essex

Research Project 8: The Impact of Generative AI on Gender Pay Gap in the Creative Media Industries
Supervisor: Dr Yuwei Lin
SENSS Theme: Justice, Institutions and Social Change
SENSS University: University of Roehampton

Why SENSS?

Funded by the Economics and Social Research Council, SENSS offers six interdisciplinary themes (Themes) across 8 universities with exceptional reputations for postgraduate training and research.

What is a collaborative studentship?

• Join an expert team of leading social scientists and an external partner who have already developed and defined a research project.
• Play a leading role on this team as the postgraduate researcher.

Why apply?

• Get paid to study! This funding should cover your living costs as well as tuition fees.
• Obtain a PhD whilst working on an innovative disciplinary topic.
• Be supported by an expert supervisory team.
• Join a friendly community of postgraduate researchers.
• Have access to fantastic training and funding opportunities.
• Develop important employability skills.

What options are available?

• Full or part time study.
• The structure of the studentship offered will depend on your personal training needs. However, the minimum duration of a SENSS-funded studentship will be 3.5 years: this covers a PhD and a mandatory placement of approximately 3 months. The maximum duration of a studentship will be 4.5 years: this covers a Masters degree followed by a PhD, as well as the mandatory 3-month placement.
• Fully funded studentships (tax-free living costs at approximately £23k per year, plus London weighting where relevant, tuition fees fully paid for the duration of your funding award, and access to additional funding for overseas fieldwork, language training, and/or other research training) for successful applicants.

Are you eligible?

• Residential criteria: Fully funded studentships are available regardless of nationality or residency. Please check our website for full details.
• To apply for a Masters plus PhD (+4.5) you will need qualifications or professional experience equivalent to a Bachelors degree (Honours).
• To apply for a PhD only (+3.5) you will need qualificationsor professional experience equivalent to a Masters, or a Masters degree and already have the research skills needed to successfully complete your research project.

Interested? Here’s how to apply.

1. Check your eligibility.
2. Review the eight research proposals and choose the project which fits you best.
3. Think about key aspects of your application and why you are the best candidate for that specific project.
4. Complete SENSS’s on-line studentship application by 12.00noon (GMT) on Monday 16 February 2026. The application portal (HEIApply) will be accessible via the SENSS website in December 2025.
5. When required, apply for a PhD place at the university offering the project you are interested in, checking with them to find out what their internal PhD application deadline is.

For more information, please go to the SENSS website