This is a funded MbyRes, including a generous stipend and tuition fees, with well-resourced circumstances for a successful scholarship.
Here is an exciting opportunity to influence vital changes to, and advocate for, the voluntary youth work sector in Wales. The selected candidate will join the vibrant research community of the internationally renowned Centre for Criminology at the University of South Wales, who undertake cutting edge research and have received major funding grants and prestigious awards for research. They will also work closely with co-sponsors, The COUNCIL FOR WALES OF VOLUNTARY YOUTH SERVICES [CWVYS], an independent representative, strategic leader, and advocate for the voluntary youth work sector since 1947.
The research project will support CWVYS and their 132 partner organisations in the voluntary youth work sector across Wales and other strategic partners, including the Welsh Government. The selected candidate will develop transferable skills in the changing and innovative field of criminology/social science. They will apply and refine their knowledge, research skills and ambition to assist in mapping and evaluating the sector, thereby raising the profile of voluntary youth work services within Wales and internationally; and supporting the sector to deliver best practice in youth work. The majority of KESS students go on to work for their industrial partner, or decide to pursue a career in academia, so this scholarship is a wonderful stepping stone for the right candidate.
KESS is a programme funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) awarded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) in the Welsh Government. This MbyRes project has been specifically chosen by CWVYS to make a crucial difference to the sector, thereby, supporting the well-being of current and future generations. This is an exciting and opportune time to engage with the voluntary youth work sector. The project is timely, in terms of the ambitious policy developments in the youth work sector, the devastating impact of austerity and the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector, and the ongoing challenges of serious crimes and harms (such as county lines, adverse childhood experiences, homelessness, mental health) to young people in Wales.
The successful candidate will be supported by a dedicated team of supervisors from USW and CWVYS. They will join and engage with the wider community of USW researchers and post-doctoral colleagues and the extensive CWVYS network of voluntary youth work organisations and key policy and strategic partners. Based in Cardiff Bay, CWVYS works across Wales and engages with other nations, delivering against 5 key functions which emphasise accessibility and inclusivity:
- National representation and strategic leadership for the voluntary youth work sector
- Collaboration and partnership working
- Knowledge exchange champions
- Celebrate, measure and recognise the social, economic and cultural impact of the voluntary youth work sector in Wales
- Membership benefits, opportunities and developments
Programme of research:
This twelve-month project will fill a critical knowledge gap on Welsh voluntary youth work sector provision, sustainability and impact. These services provide essential support to young people and their communities’ health and wellbeing in Wales. The scale and nature of these services has not, however, previously been adequately mapped or evaluated, nor has the impact of austerity and COVID been assessed. The project will shape and influence the sector by consolidating and building upon ongoing CWVYS projects. These projects aim to address the intellectual challenges of: mapping and evaluating the Welsh voluntary youth work sector; evidencing future partner [CWVYS] developments and bids; identifying gaps in provision; highlighting the value of the voluntary sector in tackling contemporary issues impacting young people; and supporting the development of a national youth information service. These intellectual challenges link closely to the Welsh Government Youth Work Strategy for Wales, which aims to ensure young people are thriving, voluntary and paid professional youth work staff are supported throughout their careers to improve their practice, youth work is valued and understood, and there is a sustainable model for youth work delivery. Further, the project supports the Welsh Government’s Interim Youth Work Board recommendations to establish a new youth information service for young people in Wales and to review how youth work is funded in Wales.
Eligibility of Student:
To be eligible to hold a KESS studentship, you must:
- have a home address in West Wales & the Valleys area (details below)* at the time of registration.
- have the right to take up paid work in the Convergence area* on completion of the scholarship.
- must have the right to work in the region on qualification
- satisfy University of South Wales’s admissions criteria: see below, qualifications and experience and application process
Qualifications and experience:
Eligible applicants will:
- Have a degree (2i or higher) in the social sciences (eg criminology or a related discipline)
- Possess a reasonable understanding of the youth work sector. A youth work qualification would be desirable.
- Have an ability to apply/or experience in applying research skills to real-world problems
- Be highly self-motivated, with the capacity to learn and develop research and analysis techniques
- Have well-developed and positively collaborative interpersonal skills
- Have good computing skills
- Possess a high standard of oral and written communication skills
- Have an ability to deliver technical reports and communicate findings
- Be willing to travel and work in community support settings throughout Wales
Application Process:
To download an application package, please visit: Participant Application Package
For any queries on eligibility, please contact: KESS Team at Research and Innovation Services, University of South Wales: [Email Address Removed] Tel: 01443 482578
For informal enquiries or further programme information, please contact: Dr Jennifer Maher ([Email Address Removed]).
Further information at:
https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/persons/jenny-maher(8d1a9c6b-6e70-425e-8c22-007e9a2a0fa0).html
The position is available from 1st October 2021/ 1st January 2022
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