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The South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP)

The South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to provide postgraduate research training in the social sciences. The SWDTP is one of the UK's largest centres of postgraduate research training for social scientists and comprises staff and students from the Universities of Plymouth, Bath, Bristol, Exeter, and the University of the West of England.

Pathways Available at Plymouth

The University of Plymouth provides research expertise in Interdisciplinary Pathways – Advanced Quantitative Methods; Sociotechnical Futures & Digital Methods and Disciplinary Pathways – Human Geography; Management and Business; Psychology; Social Policy.

Research Areas

• Advanced Quantitative Methods
• Sociotechnical Futures & Digital Methods
• Human Geography
• Management and Business
• Psychology
• Social Policy

Preparing to Apply

We strongly encourage you to discuss your proposed research topic with an academic staff member in your field. You can explore the member lists of Plymouth's research groups and centres or search staff profiles using subject-area search terms.

Initial Enquiries

If you would like advice on potential supervisors, please contact the pathway leads listed below.

• Advanced Quantitative Methods pathway: Dr Matthew Craven
• Human Geography pathway: Nick Smith
• Management and Business pathway: Dr Lijun Tang
• Psychology pathway: Dr Patricia Kanngiesser
• Social Policy pathway: Dr Patrick Holden
• Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods pathway: Professor Katharine Willis

ESRC Funded Postdoctoral Fellowships

Applications for the 2025 entry are closed. Information on 2026 entries will be made available when the new funding round is announced.

Funding from the South West Doctoral Training Partnership

The University of Plymouth provides research expertise for the SWDTP in the human geography and psychology discipline pathways. We have a wide range of opportunities for study in these pathways based within the relevant research centres and groups.

SWDTP Staff

• Dr Matthew Craven: Associate Head of School (UG Education)
• Mr Nick Smith: Lecturer in Spatial Planning
• Dr Patricia Kanngiesser: Associate Professor in Psychology
• Professor Katharine Willis: Professor of Smart Cities and Communities
• Dr Lijun Tang: Lecturer in International Shipping and Port Management
• Dr Patrick Holden: Associate Professor (Reader)