This competition is now OPEN for an October 2025 start

What is a SENSS collaborative studentship?

• Collaborative students join an expert team of leading social scientists and an external partner (from industry, government, or a non-government organisation, in the UK or abroad) to work on a research project which has been developed by an academic team.

• They play a leading role in this project as the doctoral researcher on this team.

Where can I find out more?

A detailed guide is available here. You MUST read these notes when you draft your application as they contain important information to guide you, including the criteria against which your application will be judged.

The SENSS Director is offering two webinars, which will talk potential applicants through the application process, and answer any questions they might have. To register for the webinars, please use the following links:

 Wednesday, 22 January 2025 12:00 - 13:30. Registration link: https://essex-university.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqcu2oqTwrHNGXOq4ry9mDLo2NHU45Weu2

Wednesday, 5 February 2025 18:00 – 19:30. Registration link: https://essex-university.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMpcu-orTkoH9OVfvgPgE8dH-2MJqfggiXy

These are the projects coming up for the upcoming competition for an October 2025 start - please click the project titles below for further information:

For those who applied for a collaborative studentship:

• Your application will be assessed by the research project's supervisory team and their collaborative partner. If your application is of a sufficiently high standard, you will be asked to attend an interview (virtually or hybrid).

• The interview panel will recommend the best candidate for their project to the SENSS Management Board, which meets in April each year to formally agree who should receive this award.

• You will be notified by mid April whether you have been awarded a SENSS collaborative studentship to start in October 2025.

To see what other types of studentships SENSS offers, click below: