PhD Studentship in sexual harassment and sexual assault at work: exploring legal and HR blind spots

College of Business and Law at the University of the West of England in Bristol invites applications for a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD studentship in sexual harassment and sexual assault at work: exploring legal and HR blind spots

Application Deadline: 9 August 2026 

Start date: 1 October 2026

Work-related sexual harassment is rarely recognised as gender-based violence and is often minimised as an occupational hazard or unfavourable treatment, even when it involves unwanted physical contact that would constitute sexual assault outside the workplace. Legislative responses reflect this fragmentation, with workplace sexual harassment falling into civil employment law and the employment tribunal system rather than the criminal justice system, where complaints of gender-based violence outside of the workplace are likely to be heard. Responsibility for prevention and response usually falls to HR managers who, while trained in employment law, may lack the expertise to recognise when harassment becomes sexual assault. Trade union representatives, often provide partial support, focusing on procedures rather than survivor-centred, trauma-informed safeguarding. Consequently, such cases may be handled through inappropriate grievance and disciplinary processes, with limited sanctions for third-party perpetrators and remedies that have historically included non-disclosure agreements that silence victims and may push them out of employment.

We are looking to appoint a PhD student to research the legal, HR policy and practice ‘blind spots’ when sexual harassment at work crosses the boundary to sexual assault. We invite research proposals exploring gender-based violence at work with a mix of methods including documentary analysis (e.g., court reports, police reports, sexual harassment policies) and interviews (e.g., with HR managers, trade unions and, possibly, survivors). The research will focus on the UK, though proposals adopting a comparative perspective are welcome.

Funding details

Studentship is available from 1 October 2026 for 3yrs, subject to satisfactory progress, and includes tax-exempt stipend of £21805 p.a., and full-time home/international fees.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must have at least 2.1 degree in human resources management, criminal/ employment law, criminology or a cognate discipline, and preferably Masters degree (average programme mark no less than 65%, UK grading scale or international equivalent).

A recognised English language qualification is required. IELTS score of 7.0 overall, or equivalent.

Application

1. Prepare research proposal – maximum 5 pages all-inclusive; font size 11, 1.5-spacing, 2-inch margins. Indicative contents: research context/rationale, literature review, research questions, proposed methodology, expected contribution of the project. Development of research proposal should happen in consultation with the potential supervisor. You should contact potential supervisor with an advanced draft of the proposal to confirm they are willing to support your application.
2. Submit your application online: Postgraduate Research: Bristol Business School - PhD - UWE Bristol: Courses

Provide reference number: 2627-OCT-CBL02

Documentation: you will need to upload research proposal, degree certificates and transcripts and proof of English language proficiency as attachments to your application.

References: you will need to provide details of two referees. At least one must be an academic from the institution that conferred your highest degree. Please ensure your nominated referees are able to provide references within 14 days of your application. 

Application Deadline: 9 August 2026; 6pm (UK)

Further information

Interviews: online in late August.

If you have not heard from us by 25 August 2026 – thank you for your application, on this occasion you have not been successful.

Queries about the studentship - contact Paweł Capik; pawel.capik@uwe.ac.uk

Queries about project proposal – contact Stefano Gasparri; stefano.gasparri@uwe.ac.uk

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