Digital Economy and Society: Fully Funded ESRC Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) PhD Studentship in the Digital Economy and Society pathway (RS704)

Funding provider(s): ESRC WGSSS 50%; Swansea University 50% 

Subject area(s): WGSSS ESRC studentship Digital Economy and Society pathway 

Project start date(s): 1 October 2025 (open from mid-September) 

Supervisors:  

This studentship is an ‘open’ award. Applicants should approach a potential supervisor before submitting their application to confirm that there is appropriate supervisory capacity within the University and to discuss their draft application. Information on the research interests of our staff can be found on the Swansea University webpages. Short descriptions of each accredited pathway are available on the ESRC Wales DTP website.  

The Swansea-based representative for the pathway, Dr Matthew Roach, might be able to advise you.  

Pathway Lead: Dr Matthew Roach 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Computer Science

Mode of study:  Full or part-time study is possible. 

Please note that full-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold either a full-time job, permanent part-time job or temporary role for an extended period of time, during the period of their award. Part-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold a full-time job. 

Project description: 

This pathway is looking for students and applications that are interested in pursuing interdisciplinary projects incorporating elements of computational science methodologies in the context of social science challenges spanning the remits of the UK Research Institute’s ESRC and EPSRC. The pathway is seeking to develop expertise in researching human behaviour, combining advanced quantitative and digital analytical methods, applied to data generated through digital footprints, with qualitative research on interaction in on-line spaces. Projects should include some strategies ranging from the analysis of social media posts to the passive capture of movements via accelerometer data, and evaluate how current and emerging socio-technical systems respond to and influence situated particulars in human-algorithm interaction. Furthermore, projects that look at how the desire for new ways of expressing economic and social needs can drive developments in digital technology and their applications is similarly in scope. Substantive areas of focus for projects include: problems of health and social care; constrained communities; business and innovation; cyber security; and crime and safety.  

Students benefit from co-supervision by multidisciplinary teams within HEIs and between them. The pathway is supported by departments: Social Sciences (Cardiff); Computer Science; Law (Swansea, with funding from Innovate UK and NIHR); and by centres: Computational Foundry; EPSRC EPIC CDT (Swansea); Social Data Science Lab and Hate Lab (both ESRC data investments); and the Digital Transformation Institute (Cardiff). It continues the successful collaboration between Cardiff and Swansea in DTP2. It is strongly advised to seek advice on your proposal to ensure they fit the remit of the pathway; you can also approach the pathway with early discussion to help shape proposals.

Duration of study: The duration of study is dependent on prior research experience and training needs which will be assessed by completing an Initial Development Needs Analysis (Initial DNA) at the application stage and a Full DNA prior to award if successful.

Duration of study may vary from 3.5-4.5 years, full-time (or part-time equivalent) dependent on your prior research experience. Swansea University, in conjunction with colleagues in the WGSS, will undertake an assessment of the successful applicant’s training needs and work with them to tailor the training they are offered to meet their research needs. This might take the form a full master's course, or might be comprised of individual courses designed to enhance skills required for their chosen area of study.

Research in practice placement:  All WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3-months in total (or part-time equivalent). All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations.  

To receive ESRC studentship funding, you must have qualifications or experience equal to an honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters from a UK academic research organisation.  

Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply. 

WGSSS studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.   

The WGSSS is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.  

We welcome applications for both full and part-time study. 

English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

ATAS

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance; further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website. 

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with scholarship course offer. 

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.

The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees and an annual tax-free living stipend in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £19,237 for 2024/25).

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.  

Students also have access to a Research Training Support Grant, worth up to £940 per year.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice – please select as per preferred mode of study, either:
   (Full Time) Computer Science/ PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October

   (Part Time) Computer Science/ PhD / Part-time / 6 Years / October

   In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

2. Start year – please select 2025
3. Funding (page 8) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS704 - WGSSS 11'

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

1. Cover letter (two pages maximum)- the cover letter must include the following bullet points as subheadings:
   • Set out your reasons and motivation for applying to study at Swansea University, and the Digital Economy and Society pathway.
   • Please detail your understanding, and expectations of doctoral study. 
   • Provide detail of your academic interests generally, and particularly of those relating to your proposed research.
   • Drawing on your own background (including your life experiences, journey to/through university, work experiences or volunteering) please provide a summary of why you are ready to undertake a PhD now and how you will flourish as a result of PhD funding. You might include, for example, personal challenges that you have overcome or achievements that you are proud of in your work, study or life experiences and how these map onto the skills required to flourish in a PhD programme. Challenges could include, but are not limited to, protected characteristics, socio-economic status and of being a prospective first-generation student or care- experienced.
   • Reflecting on your own background and/or proposed approach to PhD study and the opportunities which it will present, how will you support diversity and inclusion in the PhD community?
2. Academic CV (two pages maximum)
3. Research proposal- the proposal should be up to a maximum of 1000 words, not including bibliographic references. We suggest that you use the following five headings in your research proposal:  
   
   • Title, aims and purpose of the research; 
   • Brief overview of the academic literature relevant to your field; 
   • Proposed design/methods;  
   • Academic contributions of your research;
   • Bibliographic References.
4. Two academic or professional references
   
   • Candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application. The reference must detail the applicant’s research strengths.  
5. Degree certificates and Transcripts (including translations if applicable)
6. If relevant, proof of English Language Competency (see institutional requirements for entry)
7. Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
8. Confirmation of submission of EDI Form
   

   
   Assessment: 

   Applicants are reminded to submit all relevant documents (transcripts, supporting statement, etc) by the deadline. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered.  

    Application deadline: 11th December 2024 

   Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews are expected to take place in January and February 2025. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to give a short presentation and answer a series of panel questions consistent with previous practice on the pathway during the Wales DTP and guided by the WGSSS’s commitments on EDI.  

   Interviews may be held in person but should also be available through Zoom/Teams for all students who wish to participate in that way.  

   Most applicants can expect to hear the outcome of their interview within 10-12 weeks. 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Matthew Roach  (m.j.roach@swansea.ac.uk / +44 1792 606662).

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.