PhD Study : Understanding the Systemic and Institutional Barriers to the Employment of Big Data in Social Policy Research

Apply and key information  

Summary

The employment of big data in applied social science research holds significant promise in the planning and development of public services and to better understand social problems. Digitisation leads to more quantifiable components of daily life, and allows for the systematic study of areas of society not previously easily done (Bright, 2017). There are dangers to reliance on numbers alone to examine or explain social problems. However, linking data sets and understanding problems from a longitudinal perspective can provide important ‘jumping off’ points to gain deeper insight into social phenomena, plan and deliver social services, and identify systemic and institutional biases and discrimination (Halford and Savage, 2017).

While there has been significant investment in the development of relationships between data institutions, concerns around data protection, public attitudes towards data sharing and scepticism of social science scholars (Athey, 2017), all lead to barriers to the employment of big data to produce evidence bases for policy development.

Given the significant economic investment in developing the data sharing institutions (e.g. the Administrative Data Research Centre and Honest Broker Service), and the potential harm done by non-use of health data (Jones et al, 2017), it is imperative that solutions to these blockages are developed and implemented to make the most of this growing resource.

This PhD will use a relational and institutional approach to examining the issues related to non-use of big data in social policy research. Using case studies from across the UK, focusing on both successful and unsuccessful applications for the release of public data sets for research processes, the researcher will examine the systemic, cultural, and institutional barriers to social policy research using large, public data sets. It will include ethnographic research in data management institutions, interviews with key stakeholders, and document analysis to understand regulations and procedures.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

  • Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 18 February 2019
12:00AM

Interview Date
25 to 27 March 2019

Preferred student start date
September 2019

Applying

Apply Online