ESRC DTP Collaborative PhD Studentship: Improving Students’ Transition to University Mathematics in Low Resource Environments

[ESRC studentships cover fees at the home rate, a maintenance stipend, and extensive support for research training, as well as research activity support grants. Support is available to both home and international applicants.] The Midlands Graduate School Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), is offering a collaborative PhD studentship focused on improving students’ transition to university mathematics in low-resource environments. This opportunity is hosted by the Department of Mathematics Education (DME) at Loughborough University, the UK’s largest mathematics education research centre, in partnership with IDEMS International, a UK-based Community Interest Company dedicated to educational innovation in Africa. The project aims to understand and enhance the experiences of first-year undergraduates as they engage with automated assessment and feedback, particularly through the open-source STACK system. The successful candidate will collect and analyse log data, conduct interviews and surveys, and experimentally test feedback types to better align STACK assessments with student engagement. The research will contribute to improving transitions from school to university mathematics, especially in low-resource settings. The PhD student will be based primarily at Loughborough University, benefiting from a vibrant doctoral community, regular research seminars, and broad expertise among staff. Fieldwork will be conducted at IDEMS’ partner universities in Kenya, including a minimum of two 3-month visits to Maseno University, providing valuable international experience and exposure to educational challenges in African contexts. Through this studentship, the candidate will develop skills in educational resource development, data processing and interpretation, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and educational experiment design. They will gain expertise in feedback literature, learning theories for advanced mathematics, and collaborative work with African universities. Funding is provided through the ESRC DTP, covering tuition fees at the home rate, a maintenance stipend, and extensive support for research training and activities. Both home and international applicants are eligible for support. For full eligibility details, visit the Midlands Graduate School DTP website. Applicants should have a strong academic background in mathematics, mathematics education, or a related discipline, with an interest in educational research and assessment. The application process requires submission of an anonymised CV, cover letter, and transcripts via the online form. The deadline for applications is 18th February 2026, with interviews scheduled for 27th February 2026. Informal enquiries can be directed to Professor Ian Jones at [email protected]. This studentship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful research in mathematics education, develop advanced research skills, and gain international experience in educational development.