SEDarc is committed to identifying and awarding high-quality applications and projects within our panel review process under three specific steer groups. They are:
Advanced Data Skills
to help researchers build the skills needed to work with large and complex data—from surveys to ‘big data’ like social media, administrative records, and geospatial data. Studentships can take qualitative or quantitative approaches and should support advanced data skills development throughout.
Since 2016, the data landscape has evolved significantly. Researchers now have access to new sources like loyalty card data, digital interactions, and urban data (e.g. transport footfall). These rich but underused resources offer exciting opportunities, and we want students to be equipped to use them effectively.
Beyond analysis, students should also learn how to clean, link, and manage data, write efficient code, and ensure research is robust and reusable. These skills will support their research and open up career paths in data science beyond academia.
Advanced Quantitative methods
This steer aims to provide training related to the use of advanced quantitative methods (AQM) in the social sciences. Training for students on an AQM studentship is expected to be at a level over and above the basic generic and subject-specific methods requirements for that discipline.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration with researchers outside of the social sciences
We welcome interdisciplinary studentships, recognising that many of today’s most important research challenges span multiple disciplines—both within the social sciences and across other research areas.
This steer supports projects that genuinely cross boundaries between the social sciences and other research council remits. Proposals should show meaningful collaboration between disciplines and offer training that goes beyond a single scientific approach.
To qualify, studentships must be at least 50% social science, but no more than two-thirds. Applications should be inclusive of both councils’ approaches, with a balance no greater than 2:1.
Please do speak to your selected institution should your project include any of the above to ensure these are highlighted within your application. Information from the ESRC and how these are audited can be found here.
