Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research PhD

Sheffield Hallam University

1. Course summary

• Benefit from and contribute to a thriving, collegiate research environment.

• Join a research centre ranked in the top quartile of UK institutions and the highest ranked post-1992 University.

PhD candidates are integral members of the CRESR team, located alongside staff. The Centre holds an enduring commitment to academic rigour through applied policy research, and has been recognised through the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF): 81% of research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

PhD proposals are welcome across CRESR's areas of expertise, including: housing, urban infrastructure, spatial disadvantage, labour markets, environmental sustainability and energy, and the Third Sector.

2. How you learn You will be part of the University's community of researchers, with the opportunity to attend and/or contribute to a range of discipline, college and University-wide presentations, training and conferences.

We recognise that doctoral researchers arrive with a diversity of skills and experience. Therefore, we provide flexible training and development opportunities covering a range of research-related skills. Indicative areas include transferable skills, research ethics and integrity (mandatory), data management, teaching skills and career planning. Your development needs are identified and agreed with your supervisory team at the start of your degree, and reviewed and updated as appropriate.

Within CRESR you will take part in the monthly PhD forum to provide an opportunity to present and discuss your own work and to benefit from the experience and advice of external speakers on a range of topics including, for example, doing 'difficult' interviews, preparing for the Viva and finding an academic job.

Networking opportunities

PhD researchers in CRESR also benefit from the Centre's involvement with the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership and the University Alliance Doctoral Training Alliance. These partnerships provide a range of training, collaboration and networking opportunities for PhD researchers. Candidates will therefore become part of cross-institution cohorts of high-achieving postgraduate researchers with similar research interests.

Applied learning Your supervisory team will include a Director of Studies and one or more second supervisors with expertise and interest in your research area. However, much of the work for your degree will be carried out independently, and you will need the initiative, motivation and commitment to succeed.

Your supervisors will help you to define your research programme, agree any associated training requirements, and provide direction while encouraging you to develop as an independent researcher.

You learn through

• Independent research

• Mentoring with your supervisory team