Durham University is offering a fully funded 3 year PhD Studentship on Safeguarding in Hospitality – Hurry Application Deadline is 16 May 2025

Department of Sociology at Durham University

The Department of Sociology at Durham University is offering a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship on safeguarding in hospitality, with a particular focus on the experiences of adolescent workers (ages 16-25). This opportunity, sponsored by McDonald’s UK and Ireland, aims to explore the safety and well-being of young people in the hospitality sector, especially those in leadership and management roles.

The successful candidate will be based within the Sociology department’s Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding and will receive academic supervision from Professor Carlene Firmin in collaboration with colleagues from the Durham Business School and the Department of Psychology. The studentship is designed to support groundbreaking research that aims to enhance safeguarding practices for young people working in hospitality, addressing both their safety as employees and the broader impacts on their well-being in public and work environments.

Funding and Duration

This scholarship provides:

• UK Home tuition fees for both the MA (if required) and the PhD.
• A living stipend of £20,780 per annum for the duration of the PhD (three years), plus the same stipend for an initial MA year if applicable.
• Access to a Research Training Support Grant to facilitate research and training development.

The PhD project will begin in October 2025, with funding available for a maximum of four years (one year for the MA and three years for the PhD, if required).

The Project

Over the last decade, safeguarding young people has become a priority, particularly with growing concerns about the harms they experience in various environments, including public spaces, educational institutions, online, and in their first jobs. While traditional safeguarding systems primarily protect children within the family home, they are ill-equipped to address the unique needs of adolescents, especially those in the workplace.

This PhD studentship will investigate safeguarding issues within the hospitality industry, focusing on adolescent workers, especially those in managerial and leadership positions. The research will explore:

• The types of risks and harms young workers face in public-facing roles in hospitality.
• The developmentally-specific approaches to safeguarding that could be applied to protect young employees.
• The safeguarding implications for both customers and staff in hospitality settings.

The research is expected to provide valuable insights into how businesses, policymakers, and communities can better safeguard young people in non-domestic spaces, particularly where traditional safeguarding approaches fall short. By focusing on the needs of adolescents in leadership roles within the hospitality sector, this study will pioneer a new direction in safeguarding research.

Eligibility Criteria

The ideal candidate will possess:

• An honours degree in Sociology, Social Work, Youth and Community Work, Business, Psychology, Criminology, or a related field, with a minimum classification of 2.1.
• A Master’s degree (if not already held, the candidate will be considered for a one-year MA followed by the PhD).
• A demonstrated interest in childhood and youth welfare, violence reduction, safeguarding, or adolescent well-being.
• Experience or familiarity with working in hospitality, particularly within McDonald’s, is highly desirable but not essential.

Research Focus

This PhD will look at safeguarding practices within the hospitality sector and assess how they can be better tailored to meet the needs of young people working in these environments. The project will investigate various aspects of safeguarding:

• Risk identification: What types of risks do adolescent workers face in public-facing roles?
• Safeguarding systems: How can these risks be mitigated, especially when young people occupy leadership roles?
• Workplace environment: What can be done to ensure young people feel safe at work and are supported in their professional development?

The chosen candidate will develop a research proposal addressing these key questions, with the goal of creating a comprehensive framework for safeguarding young workers in hospitality. The research will aim to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application, with particular attention paid to developing strategies that are sensitive to the developmental stages of adolescence.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through Durham University’s online application system: Durham PG Application, quoting program code L3A001 – Sociology and Social Policy. When applying, candidates should clearly indicate that they are applying for the McDonald’s Studentship.

Supporting Documents:

1. Research Proposal (max. 3 pages): This should include:
   • A brief section explaining why you are interested in safeguarding in hospitality.
   • A detailed research proposal outlining the study’s aims, proposed methodologies, expected outcomes, and a brief review of relevant literature.
   • You may include figures, diagrams, or tables if they enhance your proposal.
2. Example of previous written work: This could be a dissertation, written coursework, or a published paper relevant to your area of study.
3. CV (max. 2 pages).
4. Two references: At least one should be academic, and one should be from McDonald’s (or similar hospitality-related experience).
5. For applicants whose first language is not English, proof of English language proficiency will be required as per Durham’s guidelines.

Interview Date: Monday, 9th June 2025

Further Information

For any questions about the application process, please contact [email protected]. If you wish to discuss the research topic or application details, you are encouraged to reach out to Prof. Carlene Firmin for further guidance and assistance.

This studentship represents a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research that addresses the safeguarding needs of young people in the workplace. The successful candidate will be at the forefront of a pioneering project aimed at reshaping how we understand and protect adolescent workers in hospitality.

Closing Date: 16th May 2025
Interview Date: 9th June 2025

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.