UKRI

Sheffield Hallam University invites applications for a fully funded PhD Scholarship in the Centre for Collaboration in Community Connectedness (C4), commencing 1 October 2026. This unique opportunity is ideal for candidates passionate about building strong, cohesive, and resilient communities, and who are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion through local community or social action. The project, titled "The geography of community owned assets and their role in affecting community outcomes," will investigate the geographical distribution of community-owned assets, such as land and buildings, and explore the socio-spatial contexts in which they are located. The research aims to identify the impacts of socio-economic and material contexts on the geography of these assets and their role in fostering community collaboration and connectedness.

The C4 Centre, funded by UKRI, is a major initiative involving academic, community, and policy partners, and is dedicated to generating evidence about effective strategies for participation and connectedness across diverse communities. The Centre features five community catapults that facilitate engagement between researchers, citizens, and policymakers in co-designing and co-delivering research projects. Students will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary PhD community and benefit from the ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership.

Applicants are encouraged to propose projects using advanced quantitative methods and/or artificial intelligence, with a particular interest in digital inclusion and connectivity. Supervision will be provided by one of the Centre’s Co-investigators, Professor Ian Wilson, with additional supervisors from the wider project team depending on the research topic and approach.

The scholarship covers three and a half years of full-time study (pro-rata part-time), including home tuition fees and an annual stipend of £21,393 (2025/6 rate). Only one bursary is available, awarded to the strongest candidate. Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University during the scholarship period.

Entry requirements include a strong, relevant undergraduate degree (2.1 minimum) and/or a relevant master’s qualification (merit minimum). International students must demonstrate English proficiency (IELTS 7.0 overall, no component below 6.5, or equivalent), unless exempt. Required application materials include a research proposal (max 1,500 words), a personal statement addressing four specific questions, academic transcripts, certificates, passport/visa copies, and two academic references.

The application deadline is 17:00 (GMT+1) on 1st May 2026. Interviews will be held in-person in late May or early June 2026. For further information or queries, contact Professor Ian Wilson at [email protected] or the Doctoral School at [email protected].