Scottish Graduate School of Social Science

Sgoil Cheumnaichean Saidheans Sòisealta na h-Alba
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Scottish Graduate School of Social Science

Sgoil Cheumnaichean Saidheans Sòisealta na h-Alba

Studentship opportunity

All Studentship Opportunities

Redefining Reading: Understanding Individual and Social Reading Engagement within Contemporary Reading Practices

This studentship is funded by the ESRC through the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS)

Institution
University of Edinburgh
Pathway
Social Inequalities
Studentship
Open Collaborative
Mode of study

Full-time / Part-time

Application deadline
4pm, 14 April 2022
Applications are due 24 March 2026, 5 pm GMT and
References are due 26 March 2026, 5 pm GMT

Project details

Children and young people’s reading habits are changing. Across the UK, the last two decades have seen considerable shifts in children and young people’s reading attitudes and practices, with reports of continued declines in reading enjoyment and engagement (Clark et al., 2025). Understanding contemporary volitional reading practices (e.g., song lyrics, graphic novels, online articles) and how these shape children and young people’s reading engagement, in both individual and social contexts, is essential to understand the complexity of their literacy lives, and create meaningful and relatable messaging to re-engage the younger generation to see themselves as readers. Indeed, being an engaged reader is a key driver to leverage social change (OECD, 2021) and is essential for positive participation and contribution to society, allowing young people to later contribute meaningfully to cultural, economic and democratic life (OECD, 2021; Tervainen-Goff & Clark, 2019).

This mixed methods PhD project integrates existing national data with new qualitative research centring children and young people’s voices to significantly advance understanding of reading engagement. With unique access to a National Literacy Trust dataset (2025) examining the reading attitudes, practices and engagement of children and young people (Study 1) and the collection of new data via interviews and focus groups with children (aged 8-10) and young people (aged 13-15) (n = 36, Studies 2 and 3), the project will support the student to develop diverse research and transferable skills, facilitated by a highly experienced, supportive and cohesive supervisory team.

Ultimately the project aims to expand understanding of reading engagement, exploring this concept beyond printed books to incorporate the full breadth of contemporary reading practices. The student is anticipated to make a significant and novel contribution to academic knowledge and will have considerable opportunities for practice and policy engagement and impact throughout.

Collaborative Partner: National Literacy Trust

Supervisory Team:

About the University

University of Edinburgh School and College:

The PhD student would join the postgraduate research community of Moray House School of Education and Sport (First Supervisor, McGeown) and have access to the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (Second Supervisor, Errington), both based within the University of Edinburgh College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. This project aligns with School (Children and Young People) and College (Childhood and Youth) research themes and interests, affording opportunities for interdisciplinary discussion.

Literacy Lab
The PhD student would also be a core member of the Literacy Lab, an interdisciplinary research hub based at the University of Edinburgh, led by McGeown and Errington. More details can be found here: https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/literacylab/

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Applicants must hold or be predicted a First or a good 2:1 undergraduate degree in the social sciences, or have relevant comparable experience.
  • Applicants can have a Masters degree, however this is not a requirement.
  • The applicant must also show demonstrable interest in the topic area under investigation.
  • Applicants can study part-time or full-time
  • Applicants will have experience of working with children or young people

Funding

As per guidance published by UKRI in October 2020, a maximum of 30% of all studentships awarded can be made to international students, with the remaining 70% going to home students. 

Residential Criteria

To be classed as a home student, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a UK national (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have settled status, or
  • Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

For more on the UKRI eligibility guidance, click here

As per guidance published by UKRI in October 2020, a maximum of 30% of all studentships awarded can be made to international students, of which SGSSS has now awarded for the 2021/22 round of studentship awards. As such, this opportunity is only open to home students.

Residential Criteria

To be classed as a home student, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a UK national (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have settled status, or
  • Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If you do not meet the criteria above, you will be classed as an international student and will not be eligible to apply. To establish if you would be classed as a home student, please see pages 4 and 5 of the UKRI eligibility guidance here.

Award details

The scholarship is available as a +3.5 (3 year PhD and placement) or a 1+3.5 (Masters year, 3 year PhD, and a placement) studentship depending on prior research training. This will be assessed as part of the recruitment process, however you can access guidance here to help you decide on which to apply for. The programme will commence in October 2026. The full ESRC studentship package includes, as advised by ESRC:

  • An annual maintenance grant (stipend)
  • Fees at the standard institutional home rate
  • Students can also draw on a pooled Research Training Support Grant (RTSG)

Other information

Supervisory team: The project will be supervised by Professor Sarah McGeown, Dr Patrick Errington (both University of Edinburgh) and Dr Christina Clark (National Literacy Trust).

If you have any questions or wish to discuss the project in further detail, please contact Professor McGeown at s.mcgeown@ed.ac.uk citing the title of the doctoral project.

How to apply

  1. Applicants must register on SGSSS Apply, completing their Equal Opportunities data.
  2. Applicants must apply via SGSSS Apply, uploading the following documentation:

    • Application Questions (answered within SGSSS Apply, no upload needed)
    • Academic transcripts
    • Academic prizes
    • Referee information
    • CV
    • Other information (if required by the advert)
We strongly encourage applicants review the applicant guidance document for more on the process. 

Please Note:

  • This is not an application to the relevant University, this is an application for SGSSS (ESRC) funding.
  • Students do not need a Masters/PhD offer from the relevant University before they can apply for funding, i.e. this studentship.
  • If successful in obtaining the SGSSS (ESRC) studentship, students can only start the funded studentship once they have an unconditional Masters/PhD degree offer from the relevant University. It is your responsibility to find out the University’s application process, including when you need to secure your offer, as SGSSS plays no role in this process.

This studentship opportunity will open for applications on 9th June.

Apply now via SGSSS Apply

Selection process

Applications will be ranked by an internal institutional selection panel, and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted for interview on or around 10th April. Interviews will take place on or around 20th and 22nd April.

This studentship award is subject to the successful candidate securing admission to a PhD programme within the University of Edinburgh. The successful candidate will be invited to apply for admission to the relevant PhD programme.

Contact details

Name
Team SGSSS
Email
SGSSS Team (for questions on the application portal, only), for any questions on the project, email the supervisory team (see details in abstract above)

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