PhD Studentship: Geographically Weighted Geodemographics

Applicants are invited to apply for either of these two exciting PhD studentships. Informal inquiries can be made to Prof Mike Danson at

This project will carry out a major review of gender and occupational segregation in apprenticeships in Scotland. It will look at horizontal segregation (concentration in different occupational frameworks) and vertical segregation (concentration at different VQ levels) within the apprenticeship system. The project will examine the causes, nature and consequences of gender segregation across occupations in the wider economy, consider the key challenges to addressing occupational gender segregation in apprenticeships and identify good practice approaches to addressing these challenges.

The studentship is a well-resourced 3-year scholarship (including an annual maintenance allowance of £13,726 and training support of £750), co-funded by SDS (Skills Development Scotland) and the ESRC and offering the student unique access to policy and practitioner expertise and impact. The successful applicant will start as soon as possible.

This PhD will focus on the origins, development and integration of real ale breweries and distilleries. Microbreweries have become an important element of the brewing industry over a relatively short period of time. However, research on this competitive fringe of the brewing sector remains sparse. Micro-distilleries have had a later start but are also beginning to be established. This PhD will focus on the motives, characteristics, sources of funding, and ambitions of the entrepreneurs who have established these businesses and will work closely with the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD) at HWU to analyse evidence for take-overs and mergers, backward and forward integration and an evolving geography of production.

Access to the graduates of the unique ICBD will provide a rich dataset of primary material which has not been evaluated before. It is anticipated that a mixed methodology will be appropriate. The successful applicant will be expected to make a contribution to activities in the Department in return for a fee-waiver plus an annual maintenance allowance of £13,590.

In addition, both studentships are entitled to a maximum of £2250 over the course of their three years of study to contribute towards conference attendance and research/training costs.

All applications must be submitted by 30 September 2013.