PhD Studentship: The role of individual differences, social and environmental factors in reading behaviour in adolescence and adulthood

The Centre for National Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviour (Centre-UB) is inviting applications for a Doctoral Studentship in association with our collaborative partner the National Literacy Trust to start in January 2027.

In our highly literate society, reading is essential for thriving in education and employment, and provides access to a wealth of social capita throughout adulthood. As a result, developing ‘a love of reading’ has become a focus of England’s National Curriculum. The time we spend reading voluntarily, for pleasure, is associated with subsequent reading and language development. Yet, evidence from the National Literacy Trust survey shows that young people’s engagement with reading is in crisis. The aim of this project is to better understand interactions between personal characteristics and environmental influences, barriers and motivators for reading at the transition into adulthood.

In this project, the PhD student will develop a psychometrically sound measurement tool to characterise adolescents’ and young adults’ reading behaviours and motivations. This tool will be applied to consider how individual differences in person and social characteristics (e.g., gender, ethnicity, SEN, reading ability, social motivations and preferences) and environmental factors (e.g., socioeconomic circumstances including employment/education, access to reading resources, availability of support and encouragement to read) interact, to better understand the factors that associate with reading. The PhD student will benefit from the wide-ranging expertise of an interdisciplinary team including Professor Helen Breadmore (School of Education, University of Birmingham), Dr Sanne van der Kleij (School of Psychology, University of Birmingham), Dr Christina Clark and Irene Picton (National Literacy Trust). They will have opportunities for placements within the National Literacy Trust to extend and apply their research skills and gain invaluable understanding of public and policy engagement.

We are looking for a highly talented and dedicated PhD student with a 1st class or 2:1 degree in the field of Psychology, Education or allied disciplines. An MSc degree in a relevant area is desirable though not necessary. Previous experience working with young people and conducting quantitative research and associated analyses on similar topics is desirable. The successful candidate will demonstrate some of the following attributes

- Excellent written and communication skills
- Strengths in research methods, including experience with/interest in learning advanced quantitative methods, such as Structural Equation modelling
- Flexibility and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Effective project management, including recognising and responding to problems
- Responsiveness to feedback

Supervisors: Professor Helen Breadmore and Dr Sanne van der Kleij.

To be considered for this PhD, please follow these instructions https://www.centre-ub.org/studentships/new-opportunities

Application deadline: 5pm, Mon 30 November 2026

Interviews for this studentship will take place on 11th December 2026.

This 3.5 year Centre-UB studentship covers tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, as well as research training and support grant. This studentship is open to UK Home applicants only.

Informal enquiries about the project prior to application can be directed to Professor Helen Breadmore (h.breadmore@bham.ac.uk) or Dr Sanne van der Kleij (s.w.vanderkleij@bham.ac.uk).

Funding notes:

This 3.5 year Centre-UB studentship covers tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, as well as research training and support grant.

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