A consortium led by the University of Warwick has received significant funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) that will advance research training provision for the next generation of social scientists and ensure that the Midlands remains at the forefront of methodological advancements in social science.

The Midlands Graduate School (MGS) partnership, directed by Professor Jon Coaffee from the Department of Politics and International Studies, will recruit up to 68 PhD students per year for the next five years.

The MGS offers a step-change in training the next generation of social scientists. Post graduate researchers will work within a stimulating multi-centre research environment where cutting-edge training is responsive to the changing needs of a range of social science disciplines. The Midlands Graduate School will also collaborate closely with non-academic partners and engage with a wide range of local, regional, and national organisations from the public, private, and third sectors to ensure the funded projects have real-word social and economic impact.

The MGS will position itself as a central England hub for social science training and impact, delivering annual regional PhD conferences as well as a range of training events open to all PhD students in the Midlands region.

The first cohort of students will be recruited for to start in October 2024.

Professor Jon Coaffee said: “I am delighted that the MGS has been offered the opportunity to recruit over 340 high quality social science PhD students over the coming years to research-intensive institutions in the East and West Midlands. The MGS is fully committed to widening access to postgraduate funding and supporting those from underrepresented groups to succeed in research as well as fostering a research culture where innovation can thrive and where all students are provided with the training and support to fulfil their potential.”

The Midlands Graduate School consortium consists of the Universities of Warwick, Aston Birmingham, Nottingham, Nottingham Trent, Leicester, De Monfort and Loughborough.

ENDS

Contact:

Professor Jon Coaffee

j.coaffee@warwick.ac.uk


7 November 2023