Research in Practice

UBEL Placements lead: Dr Eva Krumhuber

For studentships starting from October 2024, Research in Practice has been introduced as a core component for all ESRC-funded students. One component of this is that all ESRC-funded students should have the opportunity to complete a high-quality placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations as part of their training. 

Each placement should provide a student with the opportunity to develop their skills and networks outside of an academic context and gain industry experience. Placements may also have the potential for students to make an impact early in their career and help to address real world challenges. 

All ESRC funded students will be expected to undertake a placement during their studentship, and funding for this is included as part of the standard +3.5 year studentship offer. Students who do not undertake a placement will not receive the additional three months of funding.

Placement Requirements 
  • A placement should be for 3 months in total for full time students or pro rata for part time students (usually 6 months)
  • A placement should not be held within the first few months of the PhD and should not take place during a masters period. 
  • Students will continue to receive their stipend for the duration of the placement. They will continue to be registered as a student and therefore cannot receive additional payment for the
    placement.
  • All placements must comprise a clear programme of activity/project which will develop the students’ transferrable skills and ability to apply their research skills in different contexts. 
  • Placements should not be used as a substitute for temporary staff or to cover business as usual within a host organisation.
Types of Placement 
  • Placements with non-academic organisations in the public, private or voluntary sector.
  • Placements with a research centre.
  • Placement as part of an overseas institutional visit
  • Placement within an institution’s professional support services
  • Research Assistant internships, where students work on standalone projects with academics from across disciplines.
  • Students can arrange their own placement or apply to opportunities circulated by UBEL.
 

UBEL DTP has partnered with British Future and Education Endowment Foundation to offer placement opportunities specifically for current UBEL DTP students. Students will be notified directly via email when opportunities with these organisations are available. 

British Future is a UK-based think tank and registered charity whose stated aim is to advance the education of the public in the subjects of equality and diversity, human rights, racial and cultural harmony, citizenship and social inclusion. 

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and education achievement. We do this by supporting schools, nurseries and colleges to improve teaching and learning for two- to 19-year-olds through better use of evidence.