PhD studentship on improving public services for vulnerable people using ‘big data’ methods.
The Data Research Centre for Business and Local Government (DRCBLG) has been established to lead the way in using advanced data analytics to help local authorities explore data, enhance knowledge and empower their communities. The Centre is a collaboration between the Universities of East Anglia, Essex, Kent and LSE, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. The University of Kent (PSSRU) is offering a 50th Anniversary PhD studentship in support of the Centre.
Local government in England provides a range of services and support for vulnerable people, with a gross current expenditure on adult social care in excess of £17 billion. Data about these activities are held in a range of administrative and other datasets. The holder of the doctoral studentship will conduct quantitative analysis of these data with the aim of better understanding how the system works and how it might be improved.
This studentship presents a unique opportunity to undertake research on support for vulnerable people. This programme is led by Professor Ruth Hancock (UEA) and Julien Forder (PSSRU, Kent) and aims to generate evidence to help improve policy in this field. Local government plays a major role in a range of services delivered in conjunction with the private and not-for-profit sectors, and with service recipients. The project will focus on activity intended to support people at times of vulnerability and/or prevent further adversity, across the lifespan. The focus is on the following areas:
- Early intervention and prevention
- Monitoring and evaluation of policy changes
- The market for care and local authority procurement
- Productivity and local variations
- Integration of health and social care
The successful candidate will be based in PSSRU at Kent with supervision by Professors Julien Forder and Jennifer Beecham. University of Kent postgraduate scholarships take the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) whereby PhD students receive financial support in return for some part-time teaching or project assistance.
The Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) at the University of Kent, established in 1974, undertakes high-quality, independent research in social and health care, which has an important influence on theory, and policy development and reform in England and elsewhere. The PSSRU is based in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR). The School is recognised worldwide for producing excellent research and was ranked 2nd for research power, 3rd for research intensity and 5th for both research impact and research quality (GPA) by the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF).
This studentship will be awarded to the best qualified applicant who shows the greatest potential for undertaking outstanding research. Consequently, successful applicants will normally meet all of the following criteria:
- An MA or MSc (with merit or distinction) in a relevant quantitative discipline.
- A 1st or 2.1 undergraduate degree in a relevant subject.
- Excellent analytical and communication skills as reflected in achievement of relevant subjects and quality of research proposal.
- An IELT score of 7.0 for non-UK students, as all PhD scholarship students are expected to have excellent communication skills.
For information about the application process, eligibility and terms please visit our website.