The White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) brings together world-class expertise and research in the social sciences from the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Hull, Manchester Metropolitan, and Sheffield Hallam.
We are inviting Host Organisations to collaborate with us on our new Research in Practice (RinP) placement scheme.
What is a Research in Practice (RinP) placement?
A social sciences postgraduate researcher (PGR) will spend the equivalent of 3 months working with you on a discrete project, challenge or research question.
This gives them a practical opportunity to apply their specialist theoretical knowledge and methodological skills in different contexts, and to collaborate across sectoral and disciplinary boundaries. It develops their awareness of the breadth of careers open to them as social science graduates, and ensures that they have the wider core skills essential for a successful career in academic and non-academic sectors.
The Research in Practice (RinP) Placement Framework lists the standard parameters that all placement activity must meet to be approved by the WRDTP. The framework is flexible to cater for all circumstances, so all potential host organisations can benefit from the opportunity.
Projects can be designed either in collaboration with the PGR, or by the Host with an outcome of your choice. They could address particular issues or challenges that your organisation is facing, and they could provide extra resource for projects that you might not have the time to focus on.
Projects are welcome from Host Organisations in any industry, sector & size.
How will you benefit from hosting a placement?
- Minimal (or no) cost to you, as the PGR’s salary is funded by the PhD studentship award.
- Brings a fresh perspective to your organisation, and helps to link practice with the latest academic knowledge.
- Provides an opportunity to harness specialist knowledge and research skills from leading experts that might not otherwise be available to you.
- Could address particular issues or challenges that your organisation is facing, and offer practical solutions.
- Could provide extra resource for projects that you might not have the time to focus on.
- Gives your staff the experience of supervising and working with researchers.
- Raises awareness of your organisation and provides you with access to talent in the region to help you innovate and grow.
- Cultivates and builds upon relationships with the WRDTP, our partner universities, and our researchers/ academic staff.
What types of projects are suitable?
An ideal project has a clear programme of activity that will achieve a tangible output. It could examine topics that are linked to our expert knowledge across seven Interdisciplinary Pathways.
Projects should be designed using the Placement Framework. They cannot be used as a substitute for temporary staff or to cover business as usual within your organisation, and must meet the skill/experience level required to challenge a Postgraduate Researcher.
Some suggested projects are listed below. This list is by no means exhaustive, however, and other projects will be considered:
- Providing research support: conducting literature reviews, surveys and interviews; communicating findings.
- Assisting on policy work: writing briefing papers or policy notes; participating in a policy inquiry; organising a policy event.
- Data: collection, management, analysis, monitoring; preparing reports and presentations.
- Developing and contributing to the delivery of workshops, seminars, and training sessions for stakeholders.
- Designing and producing media (e.g. videos, podcasts, leaflets, social media posts); arranging for their translation into other languages.
- Organising, attending and facilitating events.
- Funding: identifying future opportunities; assisting in the preparation of project proposals, grant applications; reviewing and analysing previous figures.
- Knowledge exchange: identifying and pursuing new opportunities; building relationships with new and existing clients and stakeholders.
How are the placements funded?
The time a PGR spends on placement is funded by their WRDTP studentship award. They will continue to be registered as a student with their university during the placement, and will continue to receive their stipend for the duration. They cannot receive additional payment in terms of a salary.
However, if there are additional costs associated with the placement e.g. travel and accommodation costs, or specialist equipment is required, it is expected that the host will make a voluntary financial contribution to help cover these.
What does my organisation need to do to participate?
- Be added to a repository for speculative applications from interested PGR (recommended); and/or design a suitable project and complete the Placement Opportunity Template for the WRDTP to advertise on our opportunities webpage.
- Process the applications received, and select a suitable candidate.
- Provide a voluntary contribution for the additional costs associated with the placement (if any) e.g. travel and accommodation, specialist equipment.
- Read and sign a Placement Agreement (or equivalent document) with the university and the PGR pre-placement to confirm expectations with regards to health, safety, welfare and professional development.
- Provide a main point of contact to supervise a PGR for a 3-month placement.
- Provide opportunities for the PGR to collaborate with your organisation/ team.
- Provide feedback and encouragement throughout the placement.
- Support the PGR to complete the assessment for their placement activity.
- Complete a feedback survey.
