Carlene Firmin

The Davis Scholarship Round 2 at Durham University offers a unique opportunity for care-experienced individuals to pursue advanced research in safeguarding systems for adolescents. This initiative, led by Professor Carlene Firmin, is designed to support candidates who have experience of care and hold an undergraduate degree. The scholarship is named in honor of Jahnine Davis and is run in partnership with Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families. The program provides comprehensive support, including full tuition and a stipend for a Masters degree if required before starting the PhD. Masters students also receive free accommodation at a Durham college for one year. Successful applicants who progress to the PhD will benefit from three years of full tuition coverage, an elevated stipend to address additional living costs, an annual clinical supervision budget, and funded access to a peer support group for care-experienced researchers. Additionally, the scholarship includes £1,500 per year to support conference attendance, ensuring that students can engage with the wider academic community. Professor Carlene Firmin will supervise the successful applicant, who will join the growing postgraduate research group at the GCCS Durham. The research focus is on reimagining safeguarding systems, with an emphasis on the unique perspectives and contributions of care-experienced individuals. This is an exceptional opportunity for those passionate about advancing knowledge and practice in social work, public health, and adolescent care. Eligibility is open to anyone with care experience (as defined in the full advert) and an undergraduate degree. There are no specific requirements regarding GPA, language tests, or particular skills mentioned in the announcement. Applications are now open, and interested candidates are encouraged to review the full details and apply via the provided link. The scholarship is highly supportive, aiming to remove barriers for care-experienced students and foster a collaborative, research-driven environment. For more information and to apply, visit the application page. Please share this opportunity widely within your networks to reach eligible candidates.