SGSSS is proud to deliver social science PhD funding, training and support across Scotland. A partnership of 16 universities, we are funded by the UKRI ESRC and the Scottish Funding Council — and our events and activities are open to any social science doctoral researcher in Scotland.
2026 marks our 15th anniversary, and we celebrated with a fantastic year of events, training, support and celebration of the work of our great PhD researchers.
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A snapshot of what our community achieved together in 2025–26.
"Atrocity Perpetration and Carceral Violence under Military Occupation: Empirical Research on Survivor Testimonies from Russian-Occupied Prisons in Ukraine"Student-Led Open Competition Awardee, University of Edinburgh
"Investigating mechanisms of procedural learning in dyslexic and non-dyslexic adults"Student-Led Open Competition Awardee, University of Dundee
"'Previous Generations Coped': The Historical Omission of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Strategic Feminist Resistance, and the Modern Reframing of Menstrual Discourse"Student-Led Open Competition Awardee, Glasgow Caledonian University
SGSSS continues to develop new ideas and innovative support for our PhD students and supervisors.
In October 2025 we introduced a shared credit-bearing course for ESRC funded students undertaking a Masters or requiring additional training — a residential week, online small-group follow-ups and interactive activities building professional research skills. 27 students took the course this year, and the teaching team were nominated for a EUSA Teaching Award.
New support for PhD supervisors, including a resource library and communities of practice. We are proud to be a Practice Partner in the Research England Next Generation Supervision Project (RSVP). Workshops covered giving feedback on PGR writing, using generative AI responsibly and supporting international PhD candidates, with a session on supporting diverse doctoral candidates delivered during Scottish Research Integrity and Culture Week.
Three policy events strengthening links between PhD students, supervisors and policy makers, on the UK Household Longitudinal Study ("Understanding Society"), Population Ageing and Social Care, and Mental Health and Wellbeing. 31 students presented their work to over 100 attendees, forming enduring connections. Read the full report.
A new Academic Placement Programme launched for SGSSS funded students as part of Research in Practice. So far seven students have taken up placements with research centres, research teams or professional services teams at partner institutions including the University of Glasgow, University of Stirling and University of Edinburgh.
Two new groups now advise and guide our Directorate as "critical friends". The External Partners Group provides strategic direction around non-academic engagement with research stakeholders; the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group supports our ambition to facilitate the widest possible PhD applicant pool and remove barriers to participation. More on our Governance page.
Social science PhD researchers from across Scotland took part in a wide range of SGSSS events throughout the year.
Two days of welcome for our newest researchers: an introduction to SGSSS and our support, meeting the Associate Officers, working in Challenge Pathway cohorts, training on planning a PhD project, and introductions to computational social science.
"Extremely thoughtful and excellent induction. Feeling very supported and cared for in the SGSSS community."Induction feedback survey
"Overall, it was an excellent event and I am looking forward to the next few years as I have confidence that SGSSS will be there to support me in a professional yet friendly and accessible way."Induction feedback survey
The Disabled PhD Researchers, Global Majority PhD Student, International PhD and Part Time Student PhD Networks provided great peer support, with regular catch-ups, writing retreats, mock vivas and video diaries.
The SGSSS Mentoring Programme, in partnership with the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), connects PhD researchers to RSE Fellows or SGSSS PhD Alumni with a variety of professional experience in academia, the public, private, or non-profit sector.
The programme began with an in-person launch event in January 2026 at the RSE in Edinburgh. The event featured a panel of previous mentors and mentees who reflected on their experience and what they gained from participating in the programme. Mentor and mentee pairs had the chance to meet and discuss different approaches and their expectations for the programme.
Designed and delivered by our student Associate Officers, 63 PhD students enjoyed a keynote from Professor Paula Miles, poster presentations from 25 fellow researchers, workshops on creative mapping, comic book creation and creative writing, visits to the University of Dundee archives and a drama therapy session — an innovative and fun day.
Our annual Impact Competition celebrates the fantastic contribution PhD research makes to society and the economy, across Planned Impact and Achieved Impact categories. Applications were received from social science PhD students across Scotland; seven were shortlisted for the public vote, in which 923 people took part. Winners were announced at the Collaboration and Impact Showcase — congratulations to Emma Margaret Currie (SRUC, Planned Impact) and Elle Scott (University of Glasgow, Achieved Impact).
Wicked problems resist consensus because they are hard to define — and solutions can change the nature of the problem itself. Our Challenge Pathway symposium brought together students researching Inequality and Wellbeing; Governance and Security; Environment and Demographic Change; and Communication, AI and New Technology.
"It was wonderful hearing from PhD students updates on their work. There was a really nice pace to the session, the moderator was encouraging and fair, and made sure every presenter received a few questions. It was fantastic to hear from such a variety of research subjects."Summer School feedback survey
Students approaching or in their final year joined a keynote from former SGSSS student Dr Michael Vallely, workshops on viva preparation, research impact and employability, and panel discussions on research careers after the PhD — with great input from Skills Development Scotland, the British Academy Early Careers Network and colleagues across the SGSSS network.
SGSSS is proud to work with a wide range of partners who support our PhD students and help us deliver studentships, training and development activities.
We work closely with the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities on the PGR Networks, Black History Month and Stuart Hall Fellowships — and together deliver Spring Into Methods: this year, 10 workshops from colleagues at UWS and the Universities of Edinburgh, Strathclyde, Dundee and Glasgow.
The SGSSS Mentoring programme matched 33 pairs of students and experienced mentors, focused on future careers within or outwith academia. The RSE has supported this programme for seven years — we very much appreciate their ongoing support.
SDS co-fund SGSSS PhD studentships focused on policy-relevant skills research through their collaborative PhD programme. In 2025–26 SDS also supported students with internship opportunities, the Three Minute Thesis competition, networking events and a research poster competition.
The Scottish Government is a key partner, working with SGSSS to connect social science research to policy making. In 2025–26 Scottish Government colleagues co-delivered our Autumn Policy Event Series, supporting students to share their emerging research with policy makers. They also hosted over 40 student internships offering social science PhD students from across Scotland the chance to apply their research skills, and gain knowledge of the sector and transferable skills to support their career development.
We are already planning ahead — it's going to be a busy year! Highlights will include:
Reach our team at team@sgsss.ac.uk · LinkedIn · Bluesky @sgsss.bsky.social · www.sgsss.ac.uk
Weekly updates on activities and opportunities.
A big thank you from all the SGSSS team to everyone who works with us. Students, supervisors, all governance colleagues — Supervisory Board, Deans, PGR Leads, HEI Administrative Leads — and colleagues from ESRC, SFC, Scottish Government, Skills Development Scotland and all partners: the work of SGSSS is only achievable through great collaboration with you all. Thank you for helping make this another very successful year. We look forward to working with you in 2026–27!
Scottish Graduate School of Social Science · Sgoil Cheumnaichean Saidheans Sòisealta na h-Alba · Governance
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