Introduction to the White Rose Social Sciences

Doctoral Training CentreSusan Molyneux-Hodgson

Director, WRSSDTC

Welcome

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

ESRC priority: National Centre for Research Methods

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.