Funded PhD studentships available

12 studentships, which aim to find research-led solutions to solutions to major global problems are now open for application at University of the West of Scotland (UWS). 

The funded Vice-Chancellor Studentships are prestigious scholarships awarded to exceptional students who are pursuing postgraduate research degrees. These studentships are designed to provide individuals with the financial support they need to undertake research projects that have the potential to make a significant impact in their field.

These highly selective studentships span the University’s four academic schools and are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The scholarships include studies looking at the following subjects:

• Reimagining Childcare: Rethinking and redesigning the ecosystem for childcare in Scotland.
• Exploring Scotland’s business support and policy dynamic: Towards an international framework for developing sustainable enterprises.
• International Humanitarian Law & the Moral Machine: Artificial Intelligence & the Role of Emotions in War.
• Digital Twin and Artificial Intelligence based Security-as-a-Service Platform for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
• Machine Learning Techniques for Assessment of Structural Damage in Resource-Constrained Environments.
• Fast radiation detectors for environmental research.
• Supporting the successful inclusion of students with ADHD in higher education: Innovation through collaboration.
• The politicising of ESOL learners: An ethnography of language, migration and politics in the classroom.
• A Place for Everyone? Housing, policy and community in rural Scotland.
• Threats to freshwater ecosystem sustainability – the interplay among parasites, invasive species and pollutants.
• Evaluating Current Young Onset Dementia Services in Scotland: A Case Study Approach.
• Para-athletes’ negotiations of menstruation, disability, and their athletic identity: A qualitative investigation.

Vice-Chancellor Studentships provide students with the opportunity to work alongside experienced researchers on cutting-edge research projects. Utilising state-of-the-art facilities, students benefit by gaining valuable experience and develop skills that will be invaluable throughout their careers. Studentships also provide monetary support that can help to alleviate some of the financial burden associated with pursuing a postgraduate research degree.

Professor Miller continued, “Vice Chancellor Studentships are a vital investment in the future and further strengthen our positive research culture. By supporting talented students and providing them with the resources they need to pursue their passions, we can unlock new discoveries, push the boundaries of knowledge, and create a brighter future for all.

“At UWS, we are incredibly proud of our innovative and diverse research portfolio, which not only addresses major societal challenges, but transforms lives through imaginative thinking and significant academic expertise.”

Annalise Gillan, a PhD student who started a VC Studentship in April 2023, said, “As a first-generation student with an interest in skills development, the VC Studentship has been a great opportunity. The program's funding has allowed me to fully dedicate myself to my research on youth employment and volunteering, a topic I'm passionate about.

“Beyond the financial support, UWS has provided a supportive network of faculty and researchers who have been invaluable throughout my PhD.

The UWS Vice-Chancellor’s studentships were established in 2021, following the launch of the University’s ambitious Strategy 2025.

To find out more about the new PhD studentships and apply, click here.