SCDTP Bursaries
PhDs and postgraduate research
Applications are now CLOSED for the 2021 entry round of PhD bursaries, funded by the ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP). The below information is for information only. If you are interested in studying a PhD in Area Studies or Psychology with us, please refer to the dedicated Area Studies and Psychology pages.
The studentships are funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for social science research in Psychology or Area Studies only (the latter covers a range of international social scientific research).
Successful candidates will be part of the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP), a collaboration between the universities of Portsmouth, Southampton and Brighton.
We’re accepting applications for a general call as well as applications aligned with specific projects for PhD programmes (+3) or Master’s and PhD programmes (1+3) at these three institutions.
The SCDTP is able to accept applications from UK and Overseas applicants to all of our accredited disciplines/pathways, however due to UKRI funding conditions, awards to non-UK residents are capped at 30% of the overall allocation.
The studentships cover University of Portsmouth tuition fees and an annual maintenance grant of £15,285 (2020/21 rate).
The closing date for applications is Monday 18 January 2021.
How to apply
The first thing you’ll need is a University supervisor to support your SCDTP application – so you’ll need to contact prospective supervisors before you submit an application. You’ll find their name(s) and contact details within the individual project details below.
There are currently 8 specific projects available across the subjects of Psychology and Area Studies, and details of each project and supervisory leads are listed below.
Alternatively, if you’ve got your own research idea, including ideas developed with prospective supervisors, you’re also welcome to submit your own research project proposal. Please check the areas of expertise listed in the 'Open Call' section below and then contact the relevant departmental lead to discuss your idea further.
Please note:
You’ll need to submit an online application to the University of Portsmouth plus an application for funding to the SCDTP. For more details, visit the SCDTP website.
Explore the PhD projects
The projects listed below require you to discuss possible methods and research design, and detail how your skills, background and research interests match the project.
It's therefore very important that you discuss the projects with the supervisor. Full instructions are on the SCDTP application form and there are different word limits depending on whether you are applying for a 1+3 (i.e Master's in Social Research Methods plus PhD) or +3 (PhD only) programme.
Psychology
- Understanding sexual behaviour and attitudes: a big data approach
- An evidence-based approach to promoting honesty in child witnesses
- Examining the utility of individuating strategies in collaborative recall contexts
- Can virtual reality (VR) help motivate and support marginalised young people to reduce risky behaviour?
- Living without a sense of smell
- Supporting autistic students through university using a collaborative participatory research approach
Area Studies
Submit your own PhD proposal
If you’ve got your own idea for a research project – including ideas developed with prospective supervisors – you can submit your proposal through our Open Call.
First, you'll need to check that your idea fits within our areas of expertise in Psychology and Area Studies – check the box below for more details, and to make contact with our supervisors and research coordinators.
Psychology
To discuss your own research project proposal and find out more about postgraduate programmes in Psychology, contact the lead of the research centres listed below or the Departmental Research Degrees Coordinator, Dr Alessandra Fasulo.
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Forensic Psychology - contact Dr Claire Nee
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Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity (CIDD) - contact Dr Beatriz Lopez
- Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology - contact Dr Juliane Kaminski
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Quality of Life, Health and Wellbeing - contact Dr Miznah Al-Abbadey
For an open call application in Psychology use our online application form, and quote project code SDTP5730121.
Area Studies
The University’s Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) brings together world leading research in Area Studies. There are more than 60 members of CEISR, and their research is organised into ten clusters.
To discuss your own research project proposal and find out more about postgraduate programmes in Area Studies at the University, use the contact details of the relevant supervisor below.
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Francophone Africa – contact Dr Natalya Vince or Professor Tony Chafer
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Language Across Borders – contact Dr Glenn Hadikin
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History – contact Dr Robert James
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Transnational Politics and Society – contact Professor Wolfram Kaiser or Dr Angela Crack
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Sociology and Social Theory – contact Dr Alexis Artaud De La Ferriere
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Citizenship, Race and Belonging – contact Dr Olivia Rutazibwa
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Higher Education – contact Dr Jane Creaton
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Mental Health in Childhood and Education – Dr Wendy Sims-Schouten
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Peace, Security and Conflict – Dr Ed Stoddard
For an open call application in Area Studies use our online application form, and quote project code SDTP5720121.
Eligibility
The South Coast DTP is able to accept applications from UK and Overseas applicants to all of our accredited disciplines/pathways, however due to UKRI funding conditions, awards to non-UK residents are capped at 30% of the overall allocation.
Application deadline
The application deadline for both open call and specific projects is Monday 18 January 2021.
Visit the SCDTP website

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