Investigating young peoples’ risk factors for engagement in ‘county lines’ and the responses of statutory agencies: a mixed methods study

The proposed study will employ a mixed methods approach, drawing on existing police and local authority data to determine the risk factors associated with involvement in ‘county lines’. Principles of social network analysis will be employed to track the interrelationship of young people involved in county line drug networks and their engagement with statutory agencies. Interviews with practitioners across agencies will be conducted to aid understanding of how these actors interpret and respond to these young people. The scholar will be part of a community of PhD students based in the Institute of Lifecourse Development, a key anchor resource at the University of Greenwich.

The Institute uses interdisciplinary expertise to promote the lifelong wellbeing of vulnerable and marginalised people in the community. The scholar will be supervised by Professor Karen Cleaver, a leading researcher in CLDNs and Dr Sajid Humayun, who is an expert on youth antisocial behaviour and evidence-based interventions.

Bursary available (subject to satisfactory performance):
Year 1: £15,285
Year 2: In line with UKRI rate
Year 3: In line with UKRI rate

In addition, the successful candidate will receive a contribution to tuition fees equivalent to the university’s Home rate, currently £4,407, for the duration of their scholarship. International applicants will need to pay the remainder tuition fee for the duration of their scholarship. This fee is subject to an annual increase.

Making an application:
Please read this information before making an application. Information on the application process is available at: https://www.gre.ac.uk/research/study/apply/application-process. Applications need to be made online via this link. No other form of application will be considered. All applications must include the following information (applications not containing these documents will not be considered):

• Scholarship Reference Number (Ref: VCS-FEHHS-02-20) – included in the personal statement section together with your personal statement as to why you are applying
• a research proposal related to the subject topic *
• a CV including 2 referees *
• academic qualification certificates/transcripts and IELTs/English Language certificate if you are an international applicant or if English is not your first language or you are from a country where English is not the majority spoken language as defined by the UK Border Agency *
*upload to the qualification section of the application form. Attachments must be a PDF format.

Before submitting your application you are encouraged to liaise with the Lead Supervisor on the details as follows:

For further information contact: Prof Karen Cleaver
E-mail: [Email Address Removed]