Call for expressions of interest: NWSSDTP Interdisciplinary Societal Challenge Theme Leads

03 Jul 2025

The North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership is looking to appoint six academics to lead their new Interdisciplinary Societal Challenge Themes.

The University of Manchester, as part of The North West Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) consortium, receives Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) accreditation and funding for doctoral studentships and training.

We are looking for six highly motivated academics from the five ESRC NWSSDTP institutions (Keele University, University of Lancashire, University of Lancaster, University of Liverpool, University of Manchester) to lead the new Interdisciplinary Societal Challenge (ISC) Themes for the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP). These roles will work alongside the NWSSDTP Director (Dr Laura Radcliffe), NWSSDTP Deputy Director (Prof. Bethan Evans) and NWSSDTP Manager (Hayley Meloy) – all based at Liverpool – along with the wider Academic Management Committee.

The Theme Leads will each be responsible for the delivery of activities within one of the six ISC Themes (as well as collaborating on cross-theme opportunities):

• Climate Change, Sustainability and Global Resilience: Toward Equitable Futures
• Addressing Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Challenges
• Digital Transformation: Advancements in Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Society
• Governance, Democracy and Equitable Futures: Revitalising Economies, Building Socially Just and Inclusive Organisations and Communities
• Cognitive, Social and Cultural Processes in Human Development and Learning
• Understanding Conflict, Violence and Global In/stability

ISC Theme Leads must have a detailed understanding of and be committed to interdisciplinary working and postgraduate training in the social sciences. They must also demonstrate a strong alignment with NWSSDTP’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion commitments. Candidates are expected to possess the experience required to sustain and develop NWSSDTP’s interdisciplinary working.

The successful candidate must be able to facilitate collaboration with colleagues across multiple disciplinary areas and all five institutions, to realise the potential and ensure the sustainability of the interdisciplinary challenge themes. ISC Theme Leads must be able to represent the NWSSDTP in a diplomatic, fair and consistent manner in interactions with a range of stakeholders.

Documents to download:

• Call for expressions of interest
• ESRC NWSSDTP CASE Information Session presentation slides
• Successful ESRC NWSSDTP CASE applicant presentation slides
• ESRC NWSSDTP CASE Information Session recording (To view the video, you will need to log in to the Video Portal. Once you click the link, you can find the login button in the top right-hand corner of the page)

The Recruitment and Admissions section of the Humanities Doctoral Academy Intranet site is also being updated to include the recording of the CASE Information session and the accompanying PowerPoint slides.

Interested candidates should, in the first instance, speak with the Associate Dean for PGR Admos Chimhowu (admos.chimhowu@manchester.ac.uk) before submitting an expression of interest to the DTP.