Research environment

All three of our research groups reflect the core research interests and activities of research-active members of CSPACE.  Each research group is led by a senior academic and supported by early career researchers.

This is complemented by associated Graduate Research Teaching Assistants, as well as full-time and part-time doctoral students on both the PhD and EdD programmes’. A monthly programme of research seminars, a monthly programme of methodology seminars and an annual research conference weld the groups and bring cohesion. There are also a number of symposia, conferences and seminars in specialist and discrete areas to enable and facilitate niche areas within the groups.

PhD initiatives

Since 2014, our PGR community has grown considerably both in terms of full-time and part-time students and we have developed a number of initiatives to help them thrive as they complete their research journey:

Funding

Full-time PGR students are faculty funded with fee reimbursement and bursary payments and a significant number of part-time students are funded by the Faculty fee waiver scheme. A new Graduate Research Teaching Assistant scheme has also been introduced, which nurtures both research and teaching skill development simultaneously.  

The scheme combines PhD study with a teaching role (0.25 FTE) offering a hybrid route into fully funded, full-time PGR study.  This scheme has attracted numerous students from practice backgrounds across disciplines include health, education and social care.  This serves our mission to embed our research and research community within the everyday culture of teaching and learning. 

Opportunities

Post Graduate Researchers (PGRs) have opportunities for involvement in bid writing, ongoing research projects, research dissemination, conference organisation and attendance at national and international conferences. 

Facilities and development

There is a dedicated space for PGRs (the DRC Hub) where there is access to refreshments, desk space and laptops for loan. On joining the CSPACE research community, all PGRs are expected to undertake the Post-graduate Certificate in Research Practice which ensures that regardless of previous research experience, they are equipped with a sound understanding epistemological and ontological concepts as well as methodological research skills.  The Faculty takes ethical issues and GDPR seriously and these dimensions of our research culture are embedded in all aspects of PGR skills development including their initial proposal, the PG Cert, the annual progress reviews (see below) and the ongoing monitoring and assessment of progress.

Following this, skill development and monitoring are closely supported and strategically managed. The Faculty has adopted the Vitae research development framework to support the maturation of its research community and this is now embedded within the Annual Review of Progress (APR).  The APR is conducted in June and offers a three stage self-reflection process for the PGR involving student reflection, supervisory comments and an independent third party critical friend who offers support and guidance to the student and supervisory team.

Research focuses   

Our research focuses are embodied by our three research groups. Find out more by below:

• Birmingham Music Education Research Group (B-MERG)
• Cultures in Education Research Group (CiERG)
• Practitioner Education Research Group (PERG)

Apply for a PhD

Visit our PhD and professional doctorate course pages to apply for your course and learn more about the process.
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Learn more about PhD life and how to apply

Our PhD information hub is full of useful information, including advice from current researchers to funded opportunities.
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Current studentships

Studentships are funded PhD projects commissioned by the university and industry. The list features projects from across the university so be sure to look back every once in a while.
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