Applications are invited for PhD Scholarships in the Centre for Collaboration in Community Connectedness (C4), commencing 1 October 2025.

·      Are you passionate about building strong, cohesive and resilient communities?

·      Are you committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion through local community or social action?

·      Are you interested in how this can be supported through genuinely collaborative research within communities?

If so, we have a unique opportunity within Sheffield Hallam University for a number of PhD students to undertake inter-disciplinary research into out how to create and sustain communities which have high levels of participation and social connectedness: where people feel a sense of pride, trust in each other and local agencies and where they can come together to deal effectively with challenges and problems.

Prospective students are encouraged to propose their own areas of foci and research questions, based on previous study or policy or practice experience. However, we particularly encourage applications that seek to develop new applied, theoretical and methodological knowledge in the following areas related to participation and connectedness:

·      Social and community infrastructure

·      Cultural, physical and natural assets

·      Relationships across the life course

·      Digital and technological innovation and inclusion

·      Systems, markets and institutions

·      Equality, diversity and inclusion and their relationship with identities and place

Successful applications are likely to be characterised by an emphasis on ‘what works’ for different communities and in different contexts, the development of new methods and approaches to researching participation and connectedness, a commitment to community involvement and co-production, and a focus on impact for policy and practice.

The studentships are linked to a major investment in a new Research Centre led by Sheffield Hallam University and involving a range of academic, community and policy partners. C4 is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of its work to create opportunities and improve outcomes. At the heart of the Centre are five community catapults (two in England, and one each in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) through which to engage researchers, citizens and policy makers in the co-design of research priorities and the co-delivery of research projects. You can read more about C4 here .

The students will be supervised by a one of the Centre’s Co-investigators, with additional supervisors drawn from the wider project team and University dependent on the PhD topic, discipline and approach. They will join a large and vibrant PhD community across the University which together researchers from a variety of disciplines, policy areas and methodological traditions. Students in social science related subjects will also benefit from our involvement in the ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership, which is also providing funding for two of the studentships.

We encourage applications from a broad range of disciplines and methodological backgrounds including sociology, politics, economics, psychology, art and design, geography, humanities, health services, architecture, planning and public administration. Proposals that intend to explore the development and application of innovative or creative research methodologies (qualitative or quantitative) are particularly encouraged. Where possible, prospective students should consider how their project could be embedded within, or address the needs and priorities of, the project’s five catapult communities.

We are holding an online Q&A session 12.00-13.30 (BST) on Monday 31st March where prospective students are encouraged to come and hear more about C4, meet some of the academic leadership team and hear from current PhD students about their experiences. To attend the session, please complete this form and an invitation will be emailed to you closer to the date. If you wish, you may also use this form to share some information about your research idea so that we can identify potential supervisors in advance of the session.

To apply you need to meet our entry requirements and provide:

·        A complete online application form for the October 2025 intake, available here . This includes:

· A research proposal . Maximum word count: 1,500 words.

· A personal statement . We want to learn more about you. In the personal statement you must answer these four questions. Please include the title of the project you are applying for in the Personal Statement section of the application form. We recommend no more than 200 words for each question and including specific examples from your previous experiences (academic and professional):

1.    What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project?

2.    How did you come up with your project proposal?

3.    What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you?

4.    Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences.

· Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts (All applicants should hold a strong, relevant undergraduate degree (2.1 minimum) and/or a relevant master’s qualification (merit minimum)).

· Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.

· Copies of your passport and any relevant visas.

International Students

International students* will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through:

1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score of 7.0 or above with no score below 6.5 in the other components or equivalent. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date; or

2. Educated with a UK Master's degree level (merit minimum) within two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.

* UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you're a national of one of these countries, you won't need to provide evidence as listed above.

For further information regarding our entry requirements, please visit the course page .

Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University, whilst in receipt of the scholarship.

Closing date for applications: 17:00 (BST) on Thursday 17 ^th April 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

Interviews are to take place during the weeks commencing 2 ^nd and 9 ^th June.

Please e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions.