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University of the West of England

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Fully Funded PhD in Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault at Work: Legal and HR Blind Spots University of the West of England in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Sociology

Funding

Full funding available

Deadline

Aug 16, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of the West of England

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Keywords

Sociology
Psychology
Political Science
Criminal Law
Law
Sexual Violence
Employment Law
Gender Violence
Human Resources

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About this position

UWE Bristol (University of the West of England), College of Business and Law, is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD studentship on sexual harassment and sexual assault at work, with a focus on the legal and HR policy/practice blind spots that arise when workplace harassment crosses into sexual assault.

The project is interdisciplinary and sits at the intersection of Law, Human Resources, and related social science perspectives. It examines how workplace complaints are handled through employment law, tribunals, grievance and disciplinary procedures, and how prevention/response responsibilities are often assigned to HR managers and trade union representatives. The research also considers survivor-centred and trauma-informed safeguarding, third-party perpetrators, and the role of non-disclosure agreements.

The successful candidate will work on a UK-focused project, with comparative perspectives welcome. The methodology may include documentary analysis of court reports, police reports, and sexual harassment policies, plus interviews with HR managers, women’s groups, rape crisis organisations, trade unions, and possibly survivors.

Funding: 3 years from 1 October 2026, with a tax-exempt stipend of £21,805 per year and full-time home/international fees covered.

Eligibility: Applicants should have at least a 2.1 degree in human resources management, criminal law, employment law, criminology, or a cognate discipline, and preferably a master’s degree (65% average or international equivalent). An English language qualification is required; IELTS 7.0 overall or equivalent is stated.

How to apply: Prepare a research proposal of up to 5 pages, discuss it with the potential supervisor, and submit the online application using reference number 2627-OCT-CBL02. Upload your proposal, degree certificates, transcripts, and proof of English proficiency. The closing date is 16 August 2026.

Funding details

Full funding including tuition fees and living expenses is available for this position. The scholarship covers all educational costs and provides a monthly stipend.

How to apply

Please submit your application including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information for two references. Applications should be sent via the online portal before the deadline.

More information can be found here

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