Policy Interventions and Routes Out Of Homelessness For Young People Aged 16-25 Years Old

The Departments of Politics and Social Statistics at the University of Manchester and the charity Lifeshare invite applications for a PhD studentship focused on examining policy interventions to help young people aged 16 to 25 find routes out of homelessness.

This interdisciplinary PhD aims to advance knowledge about how young people have found routes out of homelessness and how the cost of living crisis has impacted this. The PhD will involve quantitative and qualitative research including: survey data analysis, qualitative interviews and the recruitment and training of volunteer co-researchers. The PhD will contribute to the development of the emerging third wave of behavioural public policy, that brings together behavioural insights and design thinking with a greater acknowledgment and role for the agency of the participants.

It will draw on insights from lived experiences and develop high quality participatory research with co-researchers and policy-makers. The findings will inform policy-making in relation to supporting young people out of homelessness. The PhD will have access to the expertise of Lifeshare, the longest-standing charity tackling homeless in Greater Manchester.

The PhD student will join an active research network. There will be opportunities for training in a range of research and employment related skills including project management, data analysis, report writing and presenting. Some part-time teaching may also be available. The student will be based in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Manchester. Some UK travel will be required during the PhD.