PhDs in the School of Social Sciences Introduction to the School of Social Sciences and Funding Opportunities Dr Stuart Shields, Director of Postgraduate Study

Welcome to the University of Manchester Birthplace of capitalism where Marx and Engels drafted Communist Manifesto 25 Nobel Laureates including … WS Jevons the principles of modern economics. John Hicks general equilibrium theory and welfare economics Arthur Lewis ‘development’ in historical context Joseph Stiglitz work on monetary transactions and information Socio-economic change and innovation Population change and ageing Addressing global inequalities Sustainable practices and climate change Elections, participation and governance Data/methods

What is a PhD … A concentrated, extensive, intensive programme of research. Applied training in research skills in a particular discipline. The first step on an academic career? An entry badge for an academic/research career. An apprenticeship. A qualification!

What does it take to do a PhD? Excellent research skills. An appetite for learning/curiosity. The capacity for independent thought and work. The capacity to persist in the face of difficulties. A willingness to work hard. A good relationship with one’s supervisor. Motivation and commitment.

What do Social Science PhD students actually do? Read a lot Write a lot Collect Research Data Analyse Research Data Think and theorise Present their work Network Publish Teach Learn

Good reasons to do a PhD … 1.Intellectual Challenge. 2.Want an academic/research career.

Some employment data

Bad reasons for doing a PhD … Carry on with the student life. Don’t know what else to do. Seems like an easy option.

What we do at Manchester – Social Science programmes Economics PhD Philosophy PhD Politics PhD Social Anthropology PhD Social Anthropology with Visual Media PhD Social Statistics PhD Sociology PhD Applied Social Research PhD

Think about inter-disciplinarity Some research problems need interdisciplinary approaches. You can be co-supervised by academics from different disciplines. Funding agencies like inter-disciplinarity! Some combinations we have seen: Sociology & Social Stats Politics &Philosophy Politics & Economics Economics & Health, Econ & Environment, Econ and Development Studies Latin American Studies and Anthropology; Anthropology, Media and Performance (with Drama)

How to fund a PhD … School and discipline Studentships (17) President’s Doctoral Scholars (PDS) studentships (5 expected) NWDTC studentships NWCDTP studentships (Philosophy) Standard Economics AQM CASE EPSRC studentships Grant Linked Studentships

Crucial for SoSS … ESRC NWDTC The North West Doctoral Training College (DTC) is a quasi independent virtual organisation which funds 64+ social science PhD studentships per year with ESRC funding. A consortium of three universities: Manchester Lancaster Liverpool Has a methods training arm methodsNW which runs regional training events throughout the year

What do we mean by 1+3, +3, : Three years of funding a three year funded PhD programme 1+3: 4 years of funding. 1 year taught masters followed by a three year PhD Programme 2+2: Fours years of funding - economics only A two year MRes followed by a two year PhD programme

Funding examples DTC standard studentships (0-50, realistically about 8-10) £14210 stipend Fees paid £750 research training grant 1+3 or +3 Home only

Funding examples DTC AQM (up to 10, realistically about 4-5) £17210 stipend Fees paid £1000 Research training grant +3 or 2+2 or 1+3 Home or overseas

Funding examples DTC Economics (3) studentships £17210 stipend Fees paid £1000 Research training grant 1+2 or 2+2 Home or overseas

Funding examples PDS studentships (5),school and DA studentships (17) £14210/£17210 stipend Fees paid £750/£1000 Research training grant +3 (or 1+2) only Home or overseas (but only home fees)

Funding examples Philosophy AHRC award (1) £13283 stipend Fees paid RTSG +3/1+3

Funding examples EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) Awards (up to 3 realistically 1-2); related to one of their key themes: Digital economy Energy Living With Environmental Change (LWEC) Global uncertainties Healthcare technologies Engineering Information and communication technologies (ICT) Manufacturing the future Mathematical sciences Physical sciences Quantum technologies Research infrastructure

EPSRC Awards (up to 3 realistically 1-2) ~£14000 stipend Fees paid 1000 Research training grant +3 only Home or overseas (but only home fees)

Project Linked studentships Recent examples Privacy and big data Accounting for Informative Item Nonresponse in Hierarchical Linked Data Beyond numbers: do immigrant-origin MPs speak for immigrant- origin minorities in the UK Parliament? British Election Survey – contact

Funding summary We have multiple sources of funding for studentships About in total Some programme specific Some home only some overseas or home Some +3 (or 1+2) only some also 1+3 to 2+2

How to apply for funding On your application form there is a section for funding. You should indicate each source of funding you are interested in : School PSA NWDTC - separate application will be necessary AHRC DTP - a separate application will be necessary

Timetable for applications Politics Monday 23 November Sociology Monday 18 January Social Anthropology Monday 18 January Social Statistics Monday 18 January Economics DTC Wednesday 10 February Economics DA Tuesday 31 May Applied Social Research – Monday 18 January Philosophy Friday 22 January Best advice - apply early – well before the deadline

Timeframes Deadline for applications to the DTC via: 1 st February Deadline for applications to the AHRC DTP via: Not announced yet Deadline for applications to EPSRC 1 st February Apply well in advance!! If you have your own source of funding then you could apply at any time.

Timeframe Mid February: Applicants informed if they have been awarded a place on the programme. By end March: Applicants informed if they have been awarded a funded studentship. Exception Economics Da awards.

What you need to apply … Application form 2 referees A research proposal

What is the research proposal … A document which outlines the Why, What and How of a proposed programme of research. What is the field in which the proposed research is located? What are the key research questions? Why are these questions interesting? How will the research be carried out?

What is a good research proposal? The language should be precise and concise. Proposal length is 1500 words. The proposal should demonstrate the curiosity and independence of thought that will be required. The “How” question is important – if you don’t know how you are going to go about your research then that will not inspire confidence in the reviewers.

Next steps … Attend your DA recruitment event. It helps if you have some idea about: Research Topic. Research questions. Methods. Your DA’s will identify a potential supervisor (assuming there is one).

Breakout groups Economics - Dr Craig Webb, PhD Admissions Tutor 4.212, University Place Politics - Dr Greig Charnock, PhD Director 4.214, University Place Sociology - Dr Nick Thoburn, PhD Director 4.209, University Place Social Anthropology - Dr Stef Jansen, PhD Admissions Tutor 4.213, University Place Philosophy - Dr Joel Smith, PhD Director 4.210, University Place Social Statistics - Dr Nick Shryane, PhD Director 4.211, University Place Applied Social Research - Professor Yaojun Li, PhD Director 4.211, University Place

Next steps Draft your proposal and send it to your potential supervisor for feedback. Revise your proposal (possibly in consultation with your proposed supervisor) and then submit your application! And I hope to see you at induction in September.