Introduction to the White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Centre Susan Molyneux-Hodgson Director, WRSSDTC
Dec 26, 2015
Introduction to the White Rose Social Sciences
Doctoral Training CentreSusan Molyneux-Hodgson
Director, WRSSDTC
WRSSDTC
• A collaboration between the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York
• Encompasses all of the PGR social science provision at these institutions
• One of the largest DTCs in the UK• Part of a national network of 21 centres of
excellence funded by ESRC• ESRC fund 48 studentships per annum across 23
research pathways
Our Vision
• Increase research capacity in the social sciences and enhance doctoral training to meet the demands of the contemporary knowledge economy
• Build on current strengths in – qualitative and quantitative methodologies – skills training provision– international leadership in core social science
subject areas
• Develop our interdisciplinary strengths in key areas
The DTC Research Pathways
Politics and International Relations
Education
Sociology (inc. gender studies) Economics
Management and Business (inc. Finance, Work Psychology)
Area Studies (inc. East Asian studies)
Human Geography Social HistoryPsychology Social WorkSocial Policy Planning
The DTC Research Pathways
International Development Health & Wellbeing
Science and Technology Studies Socio-legal Studies
Environment & Sustainability Linguistics & Language Sciences
Communication and Media Studies
Security, Conflict & Justice
Challenges
• Developing a ‘whole social science’ approach• Building ways to share training across sites• Alignment of systems and practices across 3
leading research Universities• This DTC is for all social science students &
supervisors• Maximising the opportunities and enhancing
the experiences for all social scientists
Training and Resources
You can access training at your home institution, at the other two White Rose universities, within the UK network of 21 DTCs and via a national methods service.
Designing your doctoral training a) Complete a ‘needs analysis’
b) Select the best programme from the available opportunities. Your training will probably include:-
•General social science training (philosophy; methods)•Pathway and subject specific activities (events at home
or partner universities; subject modules at M-level)•Cross-DTC activities e.g. conferences, summer schools•Transferable skills training e.g. events on impact,
developing research grants, dissemination
On entry to doctoral study, the student will be asked to discuss training needs with their Supervisor and agree a training plan.
Training Needs Assessment: Year 1 Year2 Year 3
Substantive topic?
Data required and sources?
Practical/ethical issues raised?
Analysis of datasets
TNA1: Methods to secure data
TNA2: managing research
TNA3: Data analysis skills
Future activities:-
Faculty of Social Sciences Induction, University of SheffieldIntroduction to FSS programme, 9th October, ICoSS.
National Conference for First year ESRC students8 February 2013 Central Hall, Westminster, London.
National Conference for Final year ESRC studentsHosted by WRDTC @ University of Sheffield, 24th April 2013.
WRSS DTC Methods Conference 7th May 2013, University of Leeds To include talks on cutting-edge methodological issues, student poster competition and student-led discussion panels.