Project title: Youth, Trust, and Transformation: The long-term impact of Police-Led Support for NEET Young People in Barbados
Primary supervisor: Dr Amrish Patel (University of East Anglia)
Second supervisor: Dr Maria Isabel Santana (University of East Anglia)
University: University of East Anglia
SENSS Theme: Justice Institutions and Social Change
Collaborative partner: King’s Trust International
Collaborative partner supervisor: Hazel Robertson
Degree structure: The structure of the studentship offered will depend on your personal training needs. However, the minimum duration of a SENSS-funded studentship will be 3.5 years: this covers a PhD and a mandatory placement of approximately 3 months. The maximum duration of a studentship will be 4.5 years: this covers a Masters degree followed by a PhD, as well as the mandatory 3-month placement.
Project background
Today’s young people are growing up in challenging times. A quarter of young people globally are not in employment, education or training. This knocks their confidence, worsens their mental health, increases their risk of long-term unemployment and poverty, increases crime and reduces economic growth.
King’s Trust International (KTI) is a global organisation that delivers education, employment and enterprise programmes in 19 countries across world, empowering young people to learn, earn and thrive. They want to help more young people lead fulfilling and meaningful lives but need your help!
KTI have been working with the University of East Anglia (UEA) to develop a plan to gather robust evidence on the impact their training programme in Barbados. This vital evidence will enable them to attract major innovation capital and government buy-in to deliver their transformational programmes across the world. The successful student will lead this impact evaluation with the support of two experienced academics and the full support of a major global development organisation.
For more information on KTI’s activities:
https://kingstrustinternational.org/our-programmes/self-development
Project aims and objectives
The overall aim of this project is to evaluate the impact of a youth development programme run by King’s Trust International (for young people not in employment, education or training) in Barbados. The outcomes of interest will likely be:
1. Whether the young person is in employment, education or training
2. Criminal activity
3. Physical and mental health measures
To achieve this aim, the successful student will design and conduct a randomised controlled trial in Barbados to robustly estimate short-term impacts and use quasi-experimental methods on historical data to estimate long-term impacts. UEA and KTI have already been working together to collate the data architecture and evidence base for the student to build on.
The objectives of this project are to:
1. Finalise the research designs for the two evaluations (e.g. outcome variables, data collection methods, trial design etc).
2. Conduct the two impact evaluations.
3. Disseminate learnings, thought leadership activities and support KTI in achieving impact.
In your application proposal, please outline how you would achieve these objectives.
Training opportunities
A comprehensive package of training will be agreed in consultation with the supervisors. Elements of training will be provided by the supervisors, KTI Head of Impact, and by other providers. In addition to academic training in programme evaluation and econometric analysis, KTI will support access to training specific to working with young people. A three-month integrated placement will be co-designed to meet the student’s interests and career aspirations.
Studentship details
Studentships are advertised as being between +3.5 and +4.5-year (1+3.5, 2+2.5, +4.5) awards. The standard length of an ESRC-funded studentship is +3.5. This includes the standard +3 PhD, plus an +0.25 (one term) for the integrated placement which you must take as part of your studentship, and a further additional +0.25 (one term) to enable you to undertake training relevant to your research project (including career progression). All studentships are offered on either a full-time or part-time basis.
The studentship award covers your university fees and provides you with a stipend of £20,780 per year. You will also be able to apply for additional funding via the SENSS Research Training Support Grant to support your training needs.
Residential eligibility
All applicants, whether Home or International, are eligible for a full award, that is, you will receive a stipend (salary) and you will not have to pay any university tuition fees during your studentship award.
Essential and/or desirable attributes/skills
Essential
Bachelors or Masters in a relevant subject with a strong quantitative component (e.g. economics, psychology, public policy, international development)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
Experience of conducting research (e.g. dissertation, research assistance work)
Knowledge of the Caribbean and/or youth development programmes
How to apply for this studentship
To be considered for this funding, you must first apply to SENSS for this collaborative studentship. Please read the SENSS Collaborative Studentship Application Guidance Notes before completing our online application form. The Guidance Notes are available here.
If your application is successful, you will need to make a separate application for a place to study at the University of East Anglia, your host University. You will be provided with a link with information on how to make your application to the University of East Anglia once you have been offered a SENSS studentship.
Deadline:
The deadline for submitting your application for SENSS funding on HEIApply is 12:00 GMT on Monday 16 February 2026. No extensions to this deadline will be permitted.
For further enquiries:
For enquiries about this research project, please email Dr Amrish Patel, University of East Anglia (amrish.patel@uea.ac.uk).
For enquiries related to your eligibility for this studentship, and/or the application process, please email: Dr Shaun Bradshaw (senss.dtp@uea.ac.uk).
The likely interview date for this project is 10 March 2026.