The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is seeking to attract a PhD candidate of outstanding ability and commitment to join its vibrant and growing programme of internationally excellent research. The successful applicant will receive an annual stipend (currently £15,609 per annum for three years) and payment of tuition fees (current value £4,500 per annum for 3 years).
Young people today face extraordinary challenges in making their transitions from education to employment. Job shortages, automation, and the pace at which skills become obsolete are some of the obstacles facing young labour market entrants (ILO, 2020). The COVID pandemic brings new difficulties through disruptions to key developmental activities known to ease transitions, namely education, volunteering and employment.
Past economic challenges have shown that the oldest and youngest workers are most at risk of employment disruptions (Grzegorczyk & Wolff, 2020). With the current pandemic set to follow this pattern - researchers have warned of the potential ‘lost COVID generation’ (Resolution Foundation, 2020). Likewise, early unemployment has been linked to long-term scarring effects, e.g., lowered wages (Gregg & Tominey, 2004) and adverse psychological consequences (Mousteri et al, 2018).
Engagement with education has been shown to provide protection against poor transitions (Spengler et al, 2018) and adolescent’s jobs provide opportunities to learn a range of key skills that are critical for future jobs (Simpson et al, 2018). However, the COVID-pandemic has disrupted both these key developmental experiences, placing youth transitions and SDG Targets 8.6 and 4.4 at further risk. Nevertheless, youth volunteering, which is on the rise (nfpSynergy, 2020) may be an alternative way to develop the necessary work-relevant skills.
Contributing to the literature on student employment and skills development, this project will explore current experiences of work, volunteering and education alongside employment expectations and aspirations to understand how future transitions might be impacted.
The studentship is open to UK citizens and EU applicants with pre-settled or settled status, it is also open to international applicants if they can cover the difference between Home and International fees for the duration of the programme of study. Candidates should hold a first or second class honours degree from a university in the United Kingdom in a relevant discipline. Please quote the Project Reference number above when submitting your research proposal.
In the first instance, any informal enquiries and applications to these competitive studentships should be made by email to Dr Amanda Simpson ([Email Address Removed]). Successful applicants will be asked to submit the application through the UWS online system (https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/admissions-application/).
Closing date 30th June 2021
Interview July 2021
Start date 1st October 2021
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