Bath celebrates launch of the South West Doctoral Training Centre
Friday 11 November
The launch of the South West Doctoral Training Centre (SWDTC) was celebrated this week, and the first intake of research students were welcomed to the University of Bath.
The SWDTC has been established by
the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences’ Graduate School together with the School of
Management, and is a joint collaboration with the Universities of Bristol and Exeter. Accredited by
the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) it forms one of the five largest doctoral
training centres for social scientists in the UK.
Seven SWDTC sponsored students started their studies at Bath in October, each fully funded with ESRC studentships. Among them is Ben Bowman, studying for an MRes in Politics & International Studies. He said, “I’m excited about the SWDTC and the opportunities that it provides for working with other research students and external organisations.” Ben’s research will investigate drivers of youth participation in politics.
At the launch event Prof. Roger Eatwell, Dean of the Faculty, welcomed representatives from Bristol and Exeter and praised the partnership between the three Universities to collaborate in offering the highest quality student experience, developing new programmes and exploring new ways of teaching.
Prof. Judith Squires, Dean
of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Law at the University of Bristol, thanked staff for their
hard work over two years that secured ESRC support for SWDTC. She emphasised the secure foundations
on which the Centre could build and its potential for growth, with more than 200 young researchers
eligible for ESRC funding over the next five years.
Prof. Squires said, “One of our main aims is to train students for academic and non-academic careers through world class research training, skills development and new opportunities such as placements, internships and collaborative funding.”
Prof. James Copestake, Associate Dean (Graduate Studies), welcomed the new students embarking on MRes and PhD programmes as part of the SWDTC. He said, “the future potential of the SWDTC depends on the willingness of both staff and students to innovate by exploring ways of collaborating with each other across the three Universities and the region.”
Carmen Smith is studying one of the new pathways, the MRes in Environment, Energy & Resilience. She became focused on environmental behaviour change in the final year of her Psychology BSc at Bath, and is now conducting her research exploring community initiatives in promoting environmental citizenship. Carmen explained, “As a postgraduate I’m able to focus on cutting edge research and policy implications; and the social interaction provided by the Doctoral Centre is really positive.”
Applicants can now apply for ESRC studentships for 2012/13. For details visit the Graduate School funding pages.
A general information session on studentships and funding will be held by Prof. James Copestake on Thursday 24 November, 12.15 in 3 East 2.2.
