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Dear SCDTP Students, PGRs, and Supervisors,

Welcome to the latest edition of the SCDTP and Network Update newsletter, where we bring you the latest updates, opportunities, and highlights from across the Partnership.

As we move through the summer months, we have several important items to share. The 2025 Annual Impact & Collaboration Survey is now open, and we encourage all SCDTP-funded students to complete it by 29 August. This is a key way we capture the reach and influence of your research.

We're also excited to announce that all 10 episodes of our Speaking of Research podcast series are now live. Tune in to hear SCDTP researchers share their work, insights, and impact.

In addition, this issue includes upcoming placement opportunities, calls for abstracts, and other news from our network.

Take a few moments to catch up on what’s happening and explore how you can get involved in the months ahead.

Dear SCDTP Students,

It’s time for the 2025 SCDTP Annual Impact & Collaboration Survey, and we kindly ask all SCDTP-funded students to take part. Completion of this survey is expected from everyone who has received funding during the October 2024 to September 2025 academic year.

Each year, we collect this information to monitor your achievements for our annual report to funders. The survey focuses on your research impact and collaborative activities over the past year. Even if you’re currently completing a Master’s (1+3) or are early in your PhD, it’s still important to complete the survey, even if you have limited updates to share at this stage.

🗓️ Deadline: Friday 29 August 2025
🔗 Complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/e/SjeKxJBchx

🎉 All completed entries will be entered into the ESRC SCDTP Annual Impact Prize, awarded to the student who has made the most significant impact with their research over the last 12 months. In recent years, several students have been recognised for their outstanding contributions.

We’ll send reminders throughout the summer, and we appreciate your support during this quieter period.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at scdtp@soton.ac.uk.

Thank you for your time and for being part of our growing research community.

With best wishes,
Jing Lin, Ben Charnley, and Malissa Rahimi
ESRC South Coast DTP Operations Team
University of Southampton

You’re warmly invited to attend our next Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Forum, taking place online on Monday 21 July, 12:30–1:30 PM.

This open forum is a safe and supportive space for students and staff to raise EDI-related issues, share ideas, and help shape future events, training, and resources. All voices are welcome.

🔗 Join via Zoom:
https://port-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/84788538574?pwd=JBjKYPLFQqpcdsAW33Zr7R8FIOUtER.1
Meeting ID: 847 8853 8574
Passcode: 579444

If you’re unable to attend but would still like to raise a point or suggestion, please contact holly.radford@port.ac.uk.

Let’s continue building an inclusive and equitable community together.

With thanks from your EDI Student Representatives,
Holly, Awa, Sasha, and Shirley

SCDTP is proud to support two ongoing special interest groups created by and for our student community:

Decolonial Reading Group – A monthly space to explore and reflect on decolonial perspectives and how they relate to research, power, and knowledge production.

Trauma in Research Group – A supportive forum for discussing the emotional and ethical challenges of conducting research that involves trauma, whether personal or participant-related. Read more about the group from our website here.

Both groups are open to students from all partner institutions. If you’re interested in critical dialogue, peer support, or simply connecting with others who share your concerns, we’d love for you to join.

Participants are invited to bring along something that has sparked reflection on decoloniality, whether it be an article, chapter, or idea.

Facilitated by Patience (SCDTP Postdoctoral Fellow), Sixtus, and Patricia, the group encourages shared leadership and open discussion. Everyone is welcome to contribute and suggest future topics or readings.

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We’re excited to announce that Series One of Speaking of Research, the official podcast from the ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership, has now fully launched with all 10 episodes available to stream.

Recorded at the 2025 SCDTP Annual Conference at Cumberland Lodge, the series features our doctoral researchers in conversation with Catherine McDonald from Research Podcasts. Each episode offers an inspiring glimpse into the projects, people, and potential impact behind the research happening across our partnership.

🎙️ Listen now on your favourite platform:
Spotify: Speaking of Research: The SCDTP Podcast | Podcast on Spotify
Apple Podcasts: Speaking of Research: The SCDTP Podcast - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
Amazon Music: Speaking of Research: The SCDTP Podcast on Amazon Music

📢 Learn more about the series:
Speaking of Research Archives - South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership

Catch up now and hear directly from researchers shaping the future across our DTP community.

📝 Contribute to the SCDTP Blog 📝

Are you interested in sharing your research or reflections with a wider audience? We welcome blog contributions from current students across the Partnership.

To submit a blog post, please email us and refer to our blog guidelines to ensure your piece meets our submission criteria.

Contributing to the blog is a great way to highlight your work and support our vibrant research community.

As part of the SCDTP community, we kindly ask all students to take note of the following:

1️⃣ Presentations
When giving a talk, presenting a poster, or sharing your research at any event, please remember to:

- Include the UKRI and SCDTP logos

- Acknowledge UKRI/SCDTP as your funder

This is an important part of maintaining transparency and ensuring continued support for the doctoral training partnership.

2️⃣ Student Publications Page
Have you recently published a journal article, book chapter, or similar output? We’d love to feature your work! Please send us the details so we can include it on our Student Publications page.

Did you know we now have over 50 publications listed on our Student Publications page?

Take a moment to browse the inspiring work your peers are producing across the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership.

🔗 View the page here: https://southcoastdtp.ac.uk/current-students/student-publications

To submit a publication or if you have any questions, contact us at scdtp@soton.ac.uk.

We’re looking for 6 enthusiastic student volunteers to help shape one of the most anticipated events in the SCDTP calendar — the Final Year Conference, taking place in December 2025.

The FYC is a special occasion where final-year students present their research, and the wider SCDTP community comes together to celebrate their achievements. The success of this event depends on a dedicated student-led organising committee, and we’re now recruiting for the 2025/26 team!

As a committee member, you’ll:

- Help decide the conference theme

- Contribute to the programme design and scheduling

- Identify and liaise with a keynote speaker

- Allocate presenters and organise breakout rooms

- Support event artwork, social media, and session chairing

You’ll gain valuable event management experience, build connections with students and staff, and contribute to a memorable and impactful event. Support will be provided by the SCDTP Operations Team and Suzie Everley, our Deputy Director for Student Engagement and Social Media.

🗓️ Interested? Contact us at scdtp@soton.ac.uk by 1 September 2025

✨ Hear from past committee members:

“It gave me the opportunity to develop new skills, build confidence, and connect with the SCDTP community.”
“The experience was hugely rewarding, and I was proud of what we achieved together.”

Don’t miss this chance to make your mark and support your peers,  we’d love to have you on board!

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🧑‍💼 UKRI Policy Internship Opportunities with UKHSA – Info Slides Available

If you’re considering applying for the UKRI Policy Internship Scheme, don’t miss this helpful new resource from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

A recorded slide presentation is now available, offering insights into the 2025 internship opportunities with the Chief Data Office (CDO). The slides outline what the UKHSA does, the roles of its various teams, and what they’re looking for in candidates.

📽️ Watch the slides here: 2025 UKRI Policy Internship opportunities with CDO

Whether you're applying for the UKRI scheme or another DTP placement with UKHSA, this is a great starting point to learn more about working at the interface of research and policy.

🌟 UKRI Policy Internships scheme 🌟

The UKRI Policy Internships Scheme for 2025/26 is now open and the closing date for applications is 4pm on 8 September 2025.

The scheme provides the opportunity for doctoral students funded by the Research Councils of UKRI to undertake a three-month placement at one of a selected group of highly influential policy organisations. During their internship, the student undertakes training and experience on a policy topic agreed with their host partner that is relevant to both parties. The intention of the scheme is to embed students in an environment where they can engage with the process of converting research outputs into policy. These internships equip students with transferable skills and training relevant to the future career paths that the student may choose.

Full details of how to apply, including links to the online application form and guidance documents are available through the  UKRI Policy Internships Scheme webpage.

The Policy Internships Scheme is coordinated by NERC on behalf of the other Research Councils of UKRI. Any queries relating to the application process should be directed to the NERC Talent and Skills team (researchcareers@nerc.ukri.org) or the relevant host partner.

🏆 Call for Applications: BSA Phil Strong Prize for Medical Sociology PhD Students 🏆 

The British Sociological Association’s Medical Sociology Committee is now accepting entries for the annual Phil Strong Prize, offering £1,200 to support PhD students contributing to the advancement of medical sociology.

This prestigious award is open to BSA members currently undertaking doctoral research in the field of medical sociology.

🔗 Full details and how to apply:
Phil Strong Memorial Prize – BSA Website

📅 Deadline: 12pm on Friday, 1 August 2025
Please note: Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

If your research touches on themes in medical sociology, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain recognition and support for your work.

Please also feel free to share this with colleagues or students in relevant disciplines!

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Are you a current or prospective doctoral researcher interested in using the British Library’s world-renowned collections? The British Library’s Doctoral Open Days are a fantastic opportunity to explore what’s available and how to make the most of it.

The 2025/26 series begins with an online introductory webinar on Thursday 16 October 2025, followed by a range of in-person themed sessions at the British Library’s St Pancras site in London. These events are open to PhD students across all disciplines and offer a chance to connect with curators, explore specialist resources, and discover development opportunities such as fellowships and placements.

🗓️ Upcoming highlights include:

16 October 2025 – Getting Started with the British Library (Webinar) Find out more and register here. 

31 October 2025 – Music, Sound and Vision. Find out more and register here. 

28 November 2025 – Europe, Americas and Oceania. Find out more and register here. 

30 January 2026 – British and European Collections: Antiquity to 1800. Find out more and register here. 

27 February 2026 – Asian and African Collections

27 March 2026 – British Collections: 1800–1950

24 April 2026 – Contemporary British and Irish Collections

29 May 2026 – Digital Collections and Resources

💻 Full programme and registration:
https://www.bl.uk/research-collaboration/doctoral-open-days

📩 Questions? Contact the Postgraduate Research Team at pgr@bl.uk

You can also stay updated on future research events by joining the British Library’s mailing list via their MyInterests form.

Register Now: 11th NNEdPro International Summit on Food, Nutrition and Health

SCDTP students and staff are invited to take part in the 11th NNEdPro International Summit on Food, Nutrition and Health, taking place 10–13 December 2025 in Dundee and St Andrews, Scotland, as well as online.

This year’s theme, “Target 2030: Food and Nutrition Policy – From Human to Planetary Health,” brings together global experts, policymakers, practitioners, and emerging leaders to explore equitable, sustainable solutions for food and health systems.

🔗 Summit info and registration: https://www.nnedpro.org.uk/summit
💸 Use code STD10 at checkout for a 10% discount

📢 Call for Abstracts – Now Open
We welcome submissions on the Summit theme or related topics in food, nutrition, and health.

- Accepted abstracts may be published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health

- Present your research in-person or online

- Deadline: 15 October 2025

- Submit via email to: info@nnedpro.org.uk

- Guidelines available at: https://www.nnedpro.org.uk/summit

Authors of accepted abstracts will be invited to submit a short video and poster for presentation. Awards will be announced during the closing session.

This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work and engage with an international network of professionals in the field.

💡 Apply Now: NCRM’s Research Methods Rendezvous – A Unique Online Collaboration Event

The National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) has launched a new and free online event designed to help researchers turn early-stage ideas into fully developed research projects.

The Research Methods Rendezvous will take place over two interactive sessions on 10 September and 29 October 2025, with a seven-week collaboration period in between.

Participants will:

- Hear presentations from fellow researchers on emerging project ideas

- Contribute to shaping and refining those ideas

- Build connections across disciplines and institutions

🔗 Find out more and apply here:
Research Methods Rendezvous – NCRM

This is an excellent opportunity for researchers at any stage to gain fresh insights, develop proposals, and explore potential collaborations.

How is generative AI shaping the doctoral experience? If you're a current social science PhD student, you’re invited to take part in a short anonymous survey exploring how AI tools are being used during the PhD journey.

🕒 The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete, and your responses will help inform future training, shape guidance, and improve our understanding of AI’s growing role in academic research.

🔗 Take the survey here: https://standrews.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9mlB1sqOHVo4wBg

This research is led by Dr Katherine Keenan (St Andrews University, Deputy Director of SGSSS) and Mr Dean Smith (PhD researcher and SGSSS Associate Officer).

📩 For questions, contact Katherine at Katherine.Keenan@st-andrews.ac.uk

Your insight could help shape the future of doctoral training in the AI era!

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Thank you for reading this edition of the SCDTP and Network Updater. We appreciate your continued engagement and contributions, which help make this community such a dynamic and supportive environment for research and development.

As always, if you have any feedback, news to share, or questions, we’d love to hear from you. You can reach us at scdtp@soton.ac.uk.

Wishing you a productive and restful summer, and we look forward to everything we’ll achieve together in the new academic year.

Warm regards,
The SCDTP Team

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