The South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP)

Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to provide postgraduate research training in the social sciences
South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP)

Applications for September/October 2026 entry are now open

The closing date for applications is Friday 9 January 2026 at 12:00 (noon) GMT.
 
 
The South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to provide postgraduate research training in the social sciences. The SWDTP is one of the UK’s largest centres of postgraduate research training for social scientists and comprises of staff and students from the Universities of Plymouth, Bath, Bristol, Exeter and the University of the West of England.

Pathways available at Plymouth

The University of Plymouth joined the SWDTP in 2016. We provide research expertise in Interdisciplinary Pathways – Advance Quantitative Methods; Sociotechnical Futures & Digital Methods and Disciplinary Pathways – Human Geography; Management and Business; Psychology; Social Policy. We have a wide range of opportunities for research study in these pathways based in relevant research centres and groups. Plymouth’s research is characterised by its partnerships with external organisations and provides excellent opportunities for placements during study and for research with impact. The ESRC SWDTP encourages collaboration across the universities of the partnership and with external organisations.

Initial enquiries

We strongly encourage you to discuss your proposed research topic with an academic staff member in your field. You can explore the member lists of Plymouth's research groups and centres or search staff profiles using subject-area search terms (e.g. citizenship) or an individual's name.
If you would like advice on potential supervisors, please contact the pathway leads listed below.
We encourage applications from candidates who share research interests with any of our staff as detailed below.
More information on how to apply coming soon.
Advanced Quantitative Methods pathway
A Dr Matthew Craven  
Human Geography pathway
A Nick Smith  
Management and Business pathway
A Dr Lijun Tang  
Psychology pathway
A Dr Patricia Kanngiesser
Social Policy pathway
A Dr Julie Parsons  
Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods pathway
A Professor Katharine Willis
The ESRC SWDTP encourages collaboration across the universities of the partnership and with external organisations.

ESRC funded postdoctoral fellowships

Applications for the 2025 entry are closed. Information on 2026 entries will be made available when the new funding round is announced.
 
 
Colourful brain illustration - Getty Images

Funding from the South West Doctoral Training Partnership

The University of Plymouth provides research expertise for the SWDTP in the human geography and psychology discipline pathways. We have a wide range of opportunities for study in these pathways based within the relevant research centres and groups.

SWDTP staff

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