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PhD Students and Opportunities

Development Policy and Practice (DPP) has a strong research culture and welcomes excellent applications to do full and part-time PhDs. Supervision is provided across our research networks in DPP, the Innovation, Knowledge and Development Centre (IKD) and the International Development and Inclusive Innovation (IDII) Strategic Research Area, as well as more widely in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

You can find out more about doing a PhD in DPP, and how to apply.

Development Policy and Practice also has a doctoral training pathway in the ESRC funded Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership (GUDTP) with Oxford and Brunel Universities. This partnership offers opportunities to undertake a 3 year, 4 year and part-time PhD, funded through an annual competition. The advertising and recruitment period is typically between November and January. Information about Doctoral Training partnership Studentships is under the Research Degree ‘How to apply’ pages.

Testimonials:

Two things stood out from my time doing a PhD in DPP. The knowledge and experience of my supervisors was invaluable but it was the support and guidance they gave to help me develop and grow as an academic that I am particularly grateful for. Also, amongst the wider team – colleagues and staff – there is an open and inviting environment where I could always count on finding someone willing to offer advice and encouragement’

Craig Walker

My three years at the Open University, and at the DPP, were filled with such fond memories. The experience itself was life-changing and it had certainly helped me prepare for life after the PhD.

Julia Tijaja

DPP … provided wide and diverse learning platforms which helped me expand my academic base and research skills.

Zef Teka

As well as having fantastic supervisors and many opportunities to attend relevant conferences, workshops and so on, a distinctive feature of doing a doctorate at DPP is that you are completely integrated into the unit, in the same way as academic staff.

Adele Langlois

The wider DPP environment is collaborative and provides many opportunities for additional training, early publishing, and presentation of work.

Farah Huzair

DPP staff’s respect, encouragement and humour sustained me throughout and continues to do so as I develop my research into new and interesting areas.

Mary Upton

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