Project title: Understanding interdependence in early adulthoods: Learning from care experienced young people who participated in Lifelong Links

Primary supervisor: Prof. Janet Boddy

Second supervisor: Prof. Lisa Holmes

University: University of Sussex, School of Education and Social Work

SeNSS Pathway: Social Work and Social Policy

Collaborative partner: Family Rights Group

Collaborative partner supervisor: Jordan Hall, Public Affairs and Partnerships Manager, Family Rights Group

Degree structure: either a three-year PhD programme (+3), or a one-year Masters degree followed by a three-year PhD programme (1+3). If you are applying for the 1+3, you will take an MSc in Social Methods Research

Project background

‘Freedom can only be exercised if there is enough support for the exercise of freedom’, wrote the philosopher Judith Butler – an idea that underpins the focus of this exciting PhD opportunity. We live in a period when young people face increasing challenges and uncertainties in their transitions into early adulthoods, spanning areas including education, housing and employment. It has become more common for young adults to rely on family for emotional, practical and financial support, if they are able to do so. At the same time, when families are living in difficult circumstances, young people often play a key role in providing care and support. These patterns in contemporary society have particularly sharp implications for young people who have been in care, who often face abrupt and accelerated transitions into independence after leaving care. There is an urgent need to build better understandings of interdependencies and support for young adults with care experience, and of the ways in which formal and informal sources of support intersect in everyday lives over time. This is the focus of the PhD, which takes a mixed methods approach to studying mutual support, care and connections in young adult lives. This project creates a unique opportunity to conduct a fully-funded PhD, with linked paid work experience in addition to the stipend, in collaboration with the national organisation Family Rights Group. The planned research builds on a programme called Lifelong Links, which was developed by Family Rights Group with the aim of ensuring that children in care have a positive support network.

 

Project aims and objectives

The over-arching aim of the research is to understand the nature of interdependency in the lives of care experienced young people as they navigate early adulthoods. The project will employ a mixed methods approach. The final research design will be refined and developed by successful candidate, working with their supervisors at Sussex and Family Rights Group, but the work will address three core objectives:

  1. Establishing the policy context and building a theoretical and conceptual framework for the research, by conducting a policy and literature review;

  2. Documenting quantitively the pathways of young adults who have worked with Lifelong Links, through analysis of local authority data within one Lifelong Links area; and,

  3. Illuminating understandings of interdependency and relational selves, by conducting in-depth interviews with a sample of young adults who participated in Lifelong Links.

Training opportunities

A comprehensive package of training will be agreed in consultation with the supervisors. Elements of training will be provided by the supervisors, University of Sussex, Family Rights Group (FRG), and by other providers (e.g., NCRM Advanced Methods Training). They will also be part of the University of Sussex Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth (CIRCY), and will participate in regular CIRCY capacity building events (e.g., reading groups, writing workshops, seminars) as well as programmed activities as part of a vibrant doctoral community within the School of Education and Social Work at Sussex. They will also have the opportunity to participate in other training offered by Sussex and FRG, such as the PGDip in Higher Education, should they wish to become involved in teaching within the university. In addition, the successful candidate will have an opportunity to undertake a paid integrated placement with Family Rights Group in addition to their PhD stipend. Working under the supervision of the FRG Public Affairs and Partnerships Manager, Jordan Hall, this role provides an additional, complementary opportunity to gain skills and experience that are distinct from, but complementary, to the focus of the PhD.

 

Essential and/or desirable attributes/skills

We are seeking a high-calibre graduate with a Bachelors or Masters degree in a relevant social science discipline, such as sociology, psychology, social work, childhood and youth studies, or education. The successful candidate will be expected to work with both quantitative and qualitative methods; relevant training in both domains will be provided. Given the focus of the PhD, we particularly encourage applications from groups that are under-represented in post-graduate study and in academia, including people who are care experienced. The University of Sussex is a signatory to the Care Leaver Covenant for Higher Education. For more information about the support available to Sussex students, click here.

Studentship details

This studentship will be taken as either a 1+3 year award (a one-year MSc followed by a three-year PhD), or a +3 award (a three-year PhD).

Residential eligibility

Home or international students are eligible for a fully-funded award (fees will be paid, and they receive a stipend/salary).

How to apply for this studentship

This competition is now closed.