Fully funded community-focused PhDs in Nottinghamshire: Apply by 8 December 2024
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Co(l)laboratory is a pioneering 8 year, £5.1m project supported by Research England, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham and the Universities for Nottingham partnership.
It is offering the chance for locals to complete full-time PhDs, and be fully funded. But the project is not just seeking those with the qualifications to study at this, but those who want to help make a difference to the local community.#
One such person is Stuart Greensmith White, who grew up in Mansfield and, after studying business, did some teaching in further education colleges and worked in primary schools doing administration.
He was one of the first cohort to join this scheme and is now halfway through his research project – “What does it mean to be ‘work-ready’?: Investigating the education-employment transition for young people in former coalfields areas.”
“I never thought I would get the chance to do a PhD,” he said. “I am the first person in my family to go to university.”
He spotted an advert for the funded research project whilst scrolling through Facebook. There were just two days to go until the application deadline. He has shared his experience with us and hopes to encourage more people like him to take the chance and apply.
StuartThere is a lot of talent here that is not being used and we should tap into that.
I think we need more people from northern Nottinghamshire too, not just from Nottingham and from around the campus. If there is any area of Nottinghamshire that needs the help for a happier and better future it is this.
About the PhD
The Co(l)laboratory programme is an ambitious project which brings together academia and the community to support growth and development within communities, broaden prospects, drive change and improve wellbeing.
After a lot of discussion between researchers and local people and community-focused organisations, a list of PhD project subjects were identified and agreed – based on real needs and priorities of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire citizens. Rather than being abstract research – a PhD which may have academic value but could sit on a shelf gathering dust – this work can genuinely help shape the future of life and lives in the area. It will bring real-time and real-life evidence, data and knowledge to support and influence change.
Case study
Stuart did not take a conventional route to graduation, but completed an apprenticeship degree – working and studying.
StuartPaid PhD opportunities are very hard to come by, it’s difficult to get one and I knew nothing about them,” Stuart explained. “It’s really difficult if you don’t have the knowhow or the connections. Nobody in my family had been to university, so it wasn’t part of my background. From speaking to other PhD students now, I’ve found that my situation is very unusual.
He said the interview process was reassuring and positive, and not what he was expecting.
“They seemed to be wanting to know more about the person, their interests and their qualities and why they would be a good fit. They asked about your connection with the local community – it was very person-centred.”
So, what of his research into the work-readiness of today’s youngsters around Mansfield and Ashfield? He has chosen a narrative research project, getting people to tell their own stories and share their experience, and he’s looking at how three generations in families work to support the youngsters in their aspirations and careers or jobseeking.
“It’s about getting their voices in, local voices and local experience,” he said. “It’s not judging their experience but sharing it so that other people understand what it’s like for people to live here and grow up here.”
Others on the PhD course with him are looking at different topics – one is about knife crime, one about suicide prevention, another ‘child-friendly’ Nottingham and one is studying how, and by whom, a skatepark is being used. They vary in ages, background and experience. Some are still working and studying part-time and others, like Stuart, are doing their research full-time. They exchange ideas and support each other, in person and on Whatsapp.
If you are accepted onto the PhD course, you will work with academics at the University as well as community organisations – the people that devised the projects.
Stuart has two supervisors from Nottingham Trent University, one from the University of Nottingham and one community supervisor.
“I’m very lucky that I have a really experienced team of supervisors who genuinely care about the area.” And he said being part of a project which involves other PhD students helps too.
“The hope is that if I am sharing these experiences, that this will have some sort of impact on policy,” he said. And, he was keen to point out that what this area needs is very different from other parts of Nottinghamshire – here, different areas, even different streets, can vary widely.
“What works in Nottingham might not work in Mansfield, for example or Sutton. Local distinctions are huge.”
He is 18 months into his three-year research and has already had opportunities open up to him he never dreamed of. “I have been signed up as a casual lecturer at one for the universities, which is wonderful!” And he says the PhD will open doors to a world of potential jobs and careers in research, in policy-making and academia.
“All I would say is don’t feel you won’t fit in, don’t let that put you off.”
Find out more
Applications for the next round will open on 14 October 2024. They will be searching for individuals with experience and passion for creating positive change in the community to take on these research projects – particularly those with a professional or community-centred background. Successful applicants will undertake a paid, three-year period of research on the fully funded Doctoral Training Programme, resulting in a PhD qualification. Find out more here