Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities

Host organisation: Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities (SGSAH)

Project title: Pipeline to PhD: Exploring Access, Opportunity and Belonging 

Project description

The Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities (SGSAH) is seeking a research intern to support research into EDI, widening access, and participation in postgraduate research, with a particular focus on understanding the experiences, perceptions and barriers that may shape progression towards PhD study. 

SGSAH is committed to widening participation in doctoral education and ensuring that postgraduate research in the Arts & Humanities is accessible to researchers from a wide range of backgrounds. Previously, SGSAH has run ‘Pipeline to PhD’ events designed to demystify Arts & Humanities doctoral research, attended by more than 200 prospective doctoral researchers and incorporating advice about writing good funding applications, negotiating PhD life, and advocacy for early career Arts & Humanities research. 

As we continue this work, we seek to better understand the factors that might encourage or discourage prospective researchers from considering doctoral study, including how access to information, networks, funding, institutional cultures and perceptions of belonging can affect decisions about pursuing a PhD. 

The internship will provide an opportunity to undertake a focused piece of research that will directly inform the development of SGSAH’s future EDI and widening access activity  

The research intern will: 

  • undertake a review of existing evidence and research relating to widening access and progression into postgraduate research, particularly within the Arts and Humanities; 
  • work with the SGSAH team to identify key questions for further investigation around access to, and participation in, doctoral study; 
  • design and deliver a survey exploring experiences, perceptions and potential barriers to progression to PhD study; 
  • where appropriate, supplement the survey with qualitative methods such as interviews or focus groups to gain a richer understanding of participants’ experiences and perspectives; 
  • analyse and interpret the findings, identifying key themes and, where possible, differences in experiences between groups; 
  • explore what prospective PhD researchers would find useful from Pipeline to PhD activity, including the types of information, support, events or opportunities that could make doctoral study feel more accessible and achievable; 
  • make evidence-informed recommendations to SGSAH about the design, content and delivery of future Pipeline to PhD events and wider widening participation activity; 
  • present the findings to the SGSAH team and relevant partners/stakeholders. 

The project would be particularly well suited to someone with an interest in: 

  • equality, diversity and inclusion 
  • widening access and participation 
  • educational inequalities 
  • survey design or mixed-methods research 
  • qualitative research, including interviews and focus groups 
  • translating research evidence into practical recommendations. 

The intern will receive mentoring and support from the SGSAH team throughout the internship. 

SGSAH is particularly interested in supporting researchers who have not previously had access to similar professional development opportunities. We recognise that inequalities in access to doctoral education can begin well before the point of PhD application. We therefore particularly welcome applications from researchers with lived experience of barriers to accessing or progressing within higher education, including those from groups currently underrepresented within postgraduate research. 

Outputs

  • Design and delivery of a survey investigating experiences and barriers to participation 
  • A report outlining the survey responses and any qualitative insights, key themes, and recommendations for future activity 
  • Support SGSAH staff to understand what would be useful to include in Pipeline to PhD events 
  • Present research findings to the SGSAH team and relevant stakeholders 

In person/remote/hybrid

Remote or hybrid, with access to a hotdesk at the SGSAH office at 4 Lilybank Gardens, University of Glasgow, G12 8RZ. 

Benefits to the researcher

  • Develop practical experience in survey design, qualitative and quantitative research, data analysis and translating evidence into recommendations. 
  • Gain insight into EDI, widening participation and postgraduate research policy and practice. 
  • Build professional networks and transferable skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, report writing and presenting findings to different audiences. 

Key relationships

  • The research intern will work closely with the SGSAH team, receiving ongoing guidance and supervision.  
  • They will engage with prospective and current doctoral researchers, including people with lived experience of barriers to accessing or progressing within Higher Education.  
  • They will have the opportunity to connect with colleagues across widening access, EDI, and researcher networks across the HE sector.

Subject areas

This opportunity would be relevant to all arts & humanities subject areas.

Person specification

A1. Knowledge Base
  • Essential: Research methods – Practical application; Research methods – theoretical knowledge.
A2. Cognitive Abilities
  • Essential: Analysing; Critical thinking; Synthesising; Evaluating; Problem solving.
A3. Creativity
  • Essential: Inquiring minds; Intellectual insight; Innovation.
B1. Personal qualities
  • Essential: Enthusiasm; Perseverance; Integrity; Self-confidence; Self-reflection; Responsibility.
B2. Self management
  • Essential: Preparation and prioritisation; Time management.
  • Desirable: Commitment to research; Responsiveness to change; Work-life balance.
B3. Professional & career development
  • Essential: Continuing professional development; Networking.
C1. Professional conduct
  • Essential: Respect and confidentiality; Appropriate practice.
  • Desirable: Ethics, principles and sustainability.
C2. Research management
  • Essential: Project planning and delivery.
  • Desirable: Research Strategy.
D1. Working with others
  • Essential: Collegiality; Team working; Collaboration; Equality and diversity.
D2. Communication & dissemination
  • Essential: Communication methods.
D3. Engagement & impact
  • Desirable: Policy; Society and culture; Global citizenship.

First published: 28 September 2026

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