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Scottish Graduate School of Social Science

Sgoil Cheumnaichean Saidheans Sòisealta na h-Alba

Scottish Graduate School of Social Science

Sgoil Cheumnaichean Saidheans Sòisealta na h-Alba

Studentship opportunity

All Studentship Opportunities

The alterity and transformative potential of democratic finance in Scotland

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

Institution
Glasgow Caledonian University
Pathway
Health, Wellbeing and Communities
Studentship
Open Collaborative
Mode of study

Full-time / Part-time

Application deadline
4pm, 14 April 2022
Applications are due 10 April, 5 pm BST and
References are due 16 April, 5 pm BST

Project details

This PhD will explore the alterity and transformative potential of democratic finance – Community Bonds and Community Shares – in Scotland.

This (relatively) new form of finance creates citizen investors by harnessing, and investing, the financial resources of local communities into democratically governed social and/or community enterprises to address local challenges. This form of community finance corresponds directly to the finance pillar of the Scottish Government’s Community Wealth Building Strategy and aim of increasing the prominence of Inclusive and Democratic Business Models. However, we do not know how different (demand, supply and intermediary) stakeholders conceptualise this new economic space and whether and how it could bring positive change within communities and the broader financial sector. This PhD will utilise the ‘Diverse Economies’ framework to respond to this gap.

This mixed-methods PhD has three linked work packages (WPs). WP1 involves mapping democratic finance in Scotland. This ‘map’ will be explored through relevant dimensions of the ‘Diverse Economies’ framework, such as enterprise, transaction and finance. The mapping exercise will also form the basis of a maximum variation sampling frame used to select ‘data-rich’ demand, supply and intermediary stakeholders (up to n=30) for in-depth qualitative interviews in WP2. These interviews will explore what is alternative about democratic finance and what it is alternative to, the barriers and facilitators of supplying and using democratic finance and the perceived impact of democratic finance on citizen investors, communities and the financial sector. Finally, a Q methodology study will explore shared perspectives on the motivations of purposively selected stakeholders (up to n=40) utilising democratic finance. For the first time, this PhD will identify the diversity of democratic finance in Scotland. In doing so, it will gain insight into the reality of the social, political and economic context in which these alternative economic spaces exist that may facilitate or hinder their transformative potential.

Supervisory Team:

About the University

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) has a strong and flourishing research environment, which addresses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) via three societal challenges of Inclusive Societies, Healthy Lives and Sustainable Environments.

The results of REF 2021 demonstrated that 85% of the University’s research outputs in allied health professions is in the highest categories of world-leading (4*) and internationally excellent (3*) and 100% of its research environment in health scored at that level. 74% of GCU’s social work and social policy submission was rated world-leading and internationally excellent, with 75% of impact in this area rated at that level.

The proposed study is based in the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at GCU which conducts world-leading, interdisciplinary research to conceptualise and evidence ways that lives of individuals and communities can be improved through a better understanding of various community-based and health-focused initiatives.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Applicants will have a first degree (undergraduate) and have a demonstrable interest in the topic area under investigation.
  • Applicants can have a Masters degree, however this is not a requirement.
  • Applicants can study part-time or full-time

Other criteria include:

  • A minimum English language level of IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with no element below 6.0 is required.

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.

If you do not meet the criteria above, you will be classed as an international student. To establish if you would be classed as a home student, please see pages 4 and 5 of the UKRI eligibility guidance 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 2025. 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

Candidates are encouraged to contact the research supervisors before applying.

See the Yunus Centre staff profile page for more information about the supervisors: https://www.gcu.ac.uk/research/researchcentres/yunuscentre/staff/academic-staff

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 23 April. Interviews will take place 1 May.

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

Contact details

Name
SGSSS Team (for questions on the application portal, only), for any questions on the project, email the first & second supervisors (see details in abstract above)
Email
team@sgsss.ac.uk

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