Computer Science : Fully funded EPSRC PhD in the Technological Interventions for Social mobility through Computing Education (RS749)

Funding provider: EPSRC

Subject area: Computer Science

Project start date: 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors: Dr Megan Venn-Wycherley, Computer Science (Primary), Professor Faron Moller, Computer Science (Secondary). 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Computer Science

Mode of study: Full or Part-time study is possible

Project Overview

Technological Interventions for Social Mobility through Computing Education (TISCE) explores the intersection of computing education, social mobility, and technology among disadvantaged young people in the UK. Despite the introduction of computing education as a potential pathway to social mobility, underserved communities continue to face disproportionate challenges in accessing digital education, potentially limiting their future opportunities.

The study aims to investigate how technological interventions can challenge and support young people's perceptions and experiences regarding the digital skills needed to be 21st-century citizens. By examining the relationship between digital skills and aspirations, the research seeks to uncover ways to enhance opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

Collaboration with outreach programmes and charities is central to this project, facilitating knowledge exchange, data collection, and evaluation. This partnership approach ensures that the research is grounded in real-world contexts and experiences. The findings from this study have the potential to inform evidence-based policies and initiatives related to social mobility through computing education. By providing practical insights and identifying effective interventions, this research aims to contribute to narrowing the digital divide and improving life chances for disadvantaged young people in the UK.

Research Group

This project will be undertaken as part of the Education, History and Philosophy Research (EHP) Group within the Computer Science department at Swansea University. EHP has made, and is making, technical contributions that are driving change, but also addressing questions such as these:

· Education. What education in computing should we offer (i) to school and university students and teachers; (ii) to people working in businesses, public services and the professions, and (iii) to citizens?

· History and heritage. What are the causes of changes? What are the inventions and innovations that are key to our current technologies, ambitions and concerns?

· Philosophy. How do our technologies speak to classic, human philosophical problems of what we can know, what we can do, and who we are?

We take a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to such questions, bringing together knowledge in fields as diverse as, e.g., mathematical logic, the theory of computation, software engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, global and local history, classical philosophy, philosophy of science and technology, social and media studies. Philosophical discourses about epistemology, ethics, identity, etc., underpin current debates and future speculations.

Furthermore, our investigations of educational, historical and philosophical questions are often directed at the development of policies in the public and private spheres. You will have the opportunity to be based across two locations: the Computational Foundry at Bay Campus - a £32.5 million world-class facility and research beacon backed by £17m from the European Regional Development Fund, situated right on Swansea Bay beach - as well as the Singleton Park Campus, which is set in mature parkland and botanical gardens, and the main location of our EHP research group.

Further Information

Given the nature of the project and the potential for regular, unsupervised contact with young people, you will be subject to an Enhanced Check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or the equivalent from your home country – to find more information about this process, please consult Criminal records checks for overseas applicants - GOV.UK.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Megan Venn-Wycherley (megan.venn-wycherley@swansea.ac.uk). 

Candidates must hold a UK Bachelor's degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours in Computer Science or a closely related discipline or an overseas Bachelor's degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor's (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Computer Science or a closely related discipline.

Plus a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Computer Science or a closely related discipline – see country-specific qualifications

Applications will be considered from individuals with degrees and expertise in education and humanities if sufficient evidence is also presented of technical knowledge and ability. IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 6.0 in each individual component) or Swansea recognised equivalent. Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found here.

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.

ATAS 

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website. 

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award yes winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with the scholarship course offer.

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend of £19,237.

Additional research expenses of up to £3,000 per year will also be available.

Scholarships are open to UK and international fee-eligible applicants. 

EPSRC DTP studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students, once the limit has been reached, we are unable to make offers to international students.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice – please select as per preferred mode of study, either -

(Full-time) Computer Science / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October

OR

(Part-time) Computer Science / PhD / Part-time / 6 Years / October

In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

2. Start year – please select 2025

3. Funding (page 8 on the application process) –

· ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
· ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS749 - Computing Education’

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University-led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University-led research scholarship awards.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form (online form)

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via e-mail). We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised application closing date. Please note that your application may not be considered without the documents listed:
· CV
· Degree certificates and transcripts
· A cover letter
· One reference
· Evidence of meeting English Language requirements (if applicable)
· Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
· Confirmation of submission of EDI Form

*For ALL scholarship applications from February 2023 an EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Monitoring Form is required.

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Megan Venn-Wycherley megan.venn-wycherley@swansea.ac.uk 

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co-funding of a scholarship project is applicable.