1. How to write a research proposal
Dr Sue Timmis
PhD Programme Director,
Graduate School of Education

2. Overview The scholarship process and scholarships available
The ESRC process
What a proposal should contain
Sharing in groups
Tips for good writing
Your questions answered

3. Scholarships available and timescales
ESRC – UK and EU nationals only
University of Bristol – home and international
Sasakawa Japanese Studies - open to students of any nationality
Zutshi Smith Award – for Indian students only
China Scholarship Council – for chinese nationals only
See
information/

4. “I was advised to contact [supervisor] through an academic in Cardiff and I only contacted the Cardiff academic in the first place because I was advised to by a neighbour who had been awarded a 1+3 at Cardiff. There's so much luck involved - but the main thing I say to anyone interested is give it a go. And if you really want it, don't be put off if you're rejected the first time (as my Cardiff friend was). There were lots of reason why, on paper, my application was very unlikely to succeed. But if you write something clear that interests a potential supervisor you just never know.”

5. ESRC scholarship process
Esrc offers (masters (Mres) + three years phd funding) and + 3 (three years phd funding) awards
Develop your application and proposal ideally with help from a proposed supervisor
Deadline for COMPLETE applications is 12 noon on 2nd February 2017
Panel meeting to prioritise/select applications
Interviews on 7th and 9th March– set process, three institution (Bristol, Bath and Exeter) panel
Recommendations are sent to faculty - 17th March
We can only recommend –SWDTP decides

6. Key elements of a proposal
Title
Introduction
Rationale/background/ Lit review
Research aims/initial research questions
Methodology and methods – why?
Expected outcomes/impact
Timetable
References
Stick to the 1,000 word limit
FOR ESRC - two options either a collaborative , engagement oriented proposal or an ambitious and novel proposal – see esrc information on website for more info

7. Groups Look at extract and compare with your own drafts
What convinces you in this extract?
How have they justified the choices they are proposing?
How is their style different to yours?

8. Hints and tips Justify your claims with academic references
Show that you understand and can critique some of the key literature in the field
Have researchable research questions
Set out methodology in stages – justify why each method will be used – used academic references to support this
Make a clear plan
Include ethics
Include all your references
Show that you have read recent work on your topic and on relevant methodology
For ESRC applications –think creatively about collaboration
Patter – Pat Thomson’s blog on academic writing -

9. Questions? For further queries…… Talk to prospective supervisors
For information on the process or admin queries -
See our webpages at
Scholarship pages again - My