(Structured PhD) Child and Youth Research

Course details

The PhD in Child and Youth Research is a structured PhD programme delivered as part of a collaboration between the School of Psychology and the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre (CFRC) at the School of Political Science and Sociology. 

This interdisciplinary programme responds to an identified need for researchers with the requisite, high-level and wide-ranging experience and skills to undertake the kind of work that is needed in an evidence-informed policy environment.

Course structure

The programme combines thesis and taught modules.  All students must complete a major dissertation (c.80,000 words).  The taught modules which are delivered in years one and two provide course participants with the opportunity to widen their knowledge and skill base as well as feeding into the development of their thesis work.  A wide range of topics are covered including:

• Children’s rights
• Child protection
• Working with Commissioners
• Randomised controlled trials in applied social settings
• Ecology of child development (family, peers, culture)
• Early years provision
• Spaces and places of childhood

Entry requirements

Entrants will be expected to have an upper Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in a social science. If applicants do not have a degree of that kind, they must have demonstrated high ability by some other means (e.g. through publications or achievement in a higher degree). Applications are welcome from inpiduals with strong policy and practice experience in relation to children and young people.  Garda vetting is required for students participating in this programme.

Application Process

Applicants must include the following:

• A personal statement (300 words)
• A curriculum vitae
• Two letters of references from academic referees.  Referees are asked to place their reference into a signed sealed envelope
• A research proposal (1000 words)

The list of research topics/areas where potential supervisors may be available.  Candidates are encouraged to develop a proposal in one of these areas.  The research proposal (1000 words) should outline:

• A title/topic
• The relevant literature
• The research question/rationale
• Proposed method