Project & Quality Management - MRes / MPHIL / PhD

Qualification: Master of Research (MRes) / Philosophy (MPhil) / Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) in Project Management or  Quality Management
School: School of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences
Campus(es): Paisley & London
Start date: October, February, April, or June
Admissions Deadline: September, January, March, or May
Duration:
MRes: Minimum of 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time
MPhil: Minimum of 24 months full-time or 48 months part-time
PhD: Minimum of 36 months full-time or 72 months part-time
Fees: Tuition Fees for Research Degrees

Research in Project & Quality Management

Our Project and Quality Management research is focused on driving efficiency, effectiveness, and stakeholder satisfaction. Research in these areas continuously evolves, addressing emerging trends, technologies, and methodologies to improve project outcomes and maintain high-quality standards. The following are key areas of our research in project and quality management:

Project Management Methodologies and Frameworks

Research on project management methodologies explores the effectiveness of different approaches in managing projects. This includes traditional, agile, and hybrid methodologies. Studies often focus on comparing the suitability of these approaches in various industries, such as construction, software development, and healthcare. Recent research trends include the adoption of hybrid models that combine the flexibility of agile methods with the structure of traditional approaches.

Project Risk Management

Risk management is a vital area of project management research. It involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks that can impact project success. Researchers explore different risk management frameworks and tools, such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Monte Carlo simulations. Emerging areas include research on managing risks in complex, multi-stakeholder projects and using artificial intelligence for predictive risk analysis.

Project Portfolio Management (PPM)

Project portfolio management involves selecting and managing a collection of projects to achieve strategic objectives. Our research in this area examines methods for optimising resource allocation, balancing project risk and return, and aligning projects with organisational goals and includes the application of advanced analytics and decision-support systems to enable data-driven portfolio management decisions.

Stakeholder Management and Communication

Our research into stakeholder management focuses on strategies for identifying and engaging stakeholders throughout a project's lifecycle. Studies examine the impact of stakeholder relationships on project success and explore methods for managing conflicting interests. With the increasing use of digital communication tools, our research also evaluates the effectiveness of virtual communication and collaboration platforms in managing stakeholder engagement.

Project Scheduling and Resource Management

We are exploring the use of machine learning for dynamic scheduling adjustments based on real-time data. Additionally, our research addresses the challenges of resource allocation in multi-project environments.

People Centred Project Management

People-centred project management (PCPM) is an emerging research area that emphasises the human aspects of managing projects. Unlike traditional project management approaches that focus primarily on processes, tools, and outcomes, PCPM prioritises the needs, well-being, and contributions of people involved in the project. Our research in this field explores how human factors impact project success and seeks to develop frameworks that promote collaboration, inclusiveness, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Sustainability in Project Management

Research in sustainability within project management is critical for driving projects that are not only efficient but also environmentally and socially responsible. As sustainability becomes a global priority, our research provides valuable insights into how project managers can integrate sustainable practices into their methodologies, ensuring long-term value for both organisations and society.

Quality 4.0 and 5.0

Quality 4.0 is a modern approach to quality management that integrates digital technologies from Industry 4.0, such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing, to enhance quality management systems. Our research in Quality 4.0 explores how these technologies can improve quality control, process optimisation, and decision-making in various industries. Quality 5.0 research focusses on the tools which enable sustainability in light of automation and AI and the human machine interface. 

Lean Six Sigma

Focusing on sustainability and continuous improvement, our researchers investigate how LSS contributes to sustainability goals by reducing resource consumption, energy use, and waste. Our research also examines how digital technologies, such as process automation and real-time data analytics, enhance the tools of Lean and Six Sigma.

A list of our current areas of research is given below:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Enhanced Analysis of a Multi-Criteria Constraint Model for optimising project performance
  • Risk assessment using machine learning, private participation in infrastructure, competency development in project management, and sustainable construction methodologies
  • Integrating engineering applications with project management to enhance efficiency, mitigate risks, and optimise project decision-making
  • Integration of advanced technologies in quality
  • Customer-centric QM Systems
  • Green Lean Six Sigma in a digital world
  • Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
  • Circular Economy, Sustainability, Business Performance and Systems Thinking
  • Policy interventions to accelerate circular economy transition
  • Technological innovations enabling resource recovery and waste reduction
  • Predictive analytics for identifying systemic barriers in SDG implementation
  • Organisational resilience and adaptive capacity in sustainable project environments
  • Sustainability in project-based environments, focusing on the interplay between standards, regulations, and innovation - with interest on resource recovery sectors
  • Human/soft aspects of project management, including emotional intelligence, decision-making, and well-being/mindfulness
  • Overcoming gender issues in Project Management
  • the impact of project scope changes and decision-making processes in complex project environments
  • sustainability and organisational strategies within project management, exploring how sustainable practices can be integrated into project planning and execution
  • improving project management efficiency, resource allocation, and strategic planning in large-scale infrastructure and engineering projects
  • Project complexity
  • Project flexibility and resilience
  • Projects and emerging technologies
  • Project quality
  • Projects and sustainability
  • Crisis Management in projects
  • Knowledge acquisition process in interorganizational projects
  • Quality Infrastructure in Sub Saharan Africa
  • Quality Management and the link to Economic Development in the Global South 
  • Space Sustainability 
  • The dark side of digitalisation 
  • Safer End of Engineered Life

We always have a range of PhD projects in Project & Quality Management. Our projects are always open to self-funded students, and we also sometimes have fully-funded studentships. 

We are happy to discuss projects that are available, and we can design projects to suit your interests. We welcome informal enquiries from prospective applicants, and we would be happy to answer your questions or arrange an informal online call.

Details of available projects are listed on the FindaPhD.com website.

Current projects include:

  • Energy & Resource usage optimisation in Projects via Artificial Intelligence (AI) Enhanced Analysis of a Multi-Criteria Constraint Model for optimising project performance
  • Enhancing Sustainable Management Through the Integration of Project Resilience
  • A Two-Factor Assessment of Student Expectations and Perceptions of Service Quality in Higher Education
  • A Conceptual Framework for Project Resilience in the Energy Industry, Case: O&G and Renewables
  • Paradigm shifts in project management practices to tackle climate change crisis (A literature review and impact analysis from the perspective of sustainability in project management)
  • Addressing Sustainability of Project Management for International Projects in Development – exploring practices for Official Development Assistance funded projects
  • Circular economy, Resilience, Sustainability and Blockchain technology in general and specifically agriculture sector projects
  • Fly Tipping in Scotland: from lie in dirt to safer end of engineered life
  • Sustainability in Solar Energy Projects in Qatar: A Case of KAHRAMAA

We can confidently state that our research activities in environmental sciences directly map to 8 UN SDGs:

  • SDG 4: Quality Education
  • SDG 5: Achieve Gender Equality
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 9: Industry Innovation and Infrastructure
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 13: Climate Action
  • SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal

In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, UWS was officially recognised in the top 400 universities worldwide as assessed against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UWS was recognised as the 2nd most impactful university in Scotland, and 16th globally, for 'reducing inequalities' (UN SDG 10).

Find out more about UWS and UN SDGs

The Project and Quality Management research team comprises of the following academic staff:

Dr Farhad Anvari 

Dr Alan Arokiam

Dr Muhammad Ayat

Dr Gideon Ayim-Mensah

Dr Michele Cano

Dr Anupam Dey

Dr Hazhar Faris

Dr Rehab Iftikhar 

Dr Mehtab Khan

Dr Chunxue Liu

Dr Norzuana Mat Said

Dr Mehran Shikhrobat

Dr Sheheryar Qureshi

Dr Evi Viza

 

Ralitsa Arnaudova

Rangila Gurung

Nancy Khialani 

John Grover Minto

Zoofishan Hayat

Fathiya Mohammad

Sona Shadman

Irena Spanovic 

CONTACT DETAILS

If you want to make contact with us regarding a possible research project or to enquire about a current research project, contact us using the email address below:

Email address:  ceps-research@uws.ac.uk 
School: School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences 

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for an applicant for registration for the degree of MRes or MPhil or for the degree of MRes/MPhil with the intention of transfer to PhD shall be a first or second class honours degree of a university in the United Kingdom, or of an equivalent qualification.

Applicants holding qualifications other than those specified in (above) shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the programme of work proposed.

Direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University if the applicant holds an MRes/MPhil degree of a United Kingdom University, or an MRes/MPhil degree of equivalent standard of a non-UK University, provided that the MRes/MPhil degree is in a subject area which is appropriate to the proposed programme of work.

Exceptionally, direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University, even if the applicant is not the holder of an MRes/MPhil degree, but does hold an exceptionally high-quality honours degree or taught master’s degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline, AND has appropriate research experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in significant peer-reviewed publications, and where verifiable evidence of accomplishment is supplied.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.

General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • Overall score of 6.5
  • No sub-test less than 6.0

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

HOW TO APPLY

Applying for postgraduate research study at UWS has never been simpler. Click the link below to find more information about:

Postgraduate Research step-by-step guide – everything you need to know to submit a successful application
Link to our online application system

applying for research degrees

Last updated: 26/02/2025

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