Research

Current studentships

Mobilising criminal justice evidence through AI and user-informed synthesis (METIUS)

Deadline: 08/05/2026 5:00PM
Studentship code:
Research centre: The Institute for Collective Place Leadership
Start date: Successful applicants will be expected to start in October 2026.

This project will work with top academic teams in the field of evidence synthesis. It will be funded by Teesside University and will link to the Mobilising Evidence Through AI and User-informed Synthesis (METIUS) project. Read more about the METIUS project.

You will be based at Teesside University and work with Dr Jennifer Ferguson, Dr Andrew Divers and Professor Dorothy Newbury-Birch. The PhD studentship will focus on three main questions:

1 What are the needs of stakeholders in relation to evidence in the UK and internationally?
2 How do the aims of the Crime and Justice Workpackage within METUIS link to the 2026 Government White Paper on Policing?
3 What are the ethical concerns that need to be considered when carrying out research of this kind?

The project team is looking to develop guidelines on how to use AI in relation to these research questions and the topic area more broadly.

Funding eligibility

This fully funded PhD Studentship covers tuition fees for the period of a full-time PhD Registration of up to four years and provide an annual tax-free stipend of £21,805 for three years, subject to satisfactory progress.

Applications are welcome from UK and international students.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a relevant discipline.

A master's level qualification in a relevant discipline is desirable, but not essential, as well as a demonstrable understanding of the research area. Further details of the expected background may appear in the specific project details.

International students will be subject to the standard entry criteria relating to English language ability, ATAS clearance and, when relevant, UK visa requirements and procedures.

How to apply

Applicants should apply online for this opportunity using the Online Application (Funded PHD) application form. When asked to specify funding select "other" and enter 'RDS' and the title of the PhD project that you are applying for.

You should ensure that you clearly indicate that you are applying for a Funded Studentship and the title of the topic or project on the proposal that you will need to upload when applying.

To apply for more than one project, you need to complete a further application form and specify the relevant title for each application to a topic or project.

Applications for studentships that do not clearly indicate that the application is for a Funded Studentship and state the title of the project applied for on the proposal may mean that your application may not be considered for the appropriate funding.

Apply now

Selection process

All applications received by the closing date will be considered. Successful applicants at the application stage will be shortlisted and contacted to arrange an interview. All interviews will be held online. Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted to confirm that the application will not be progressed. After interview, all interviewed applicants will be contacted to inform them of the outcome. Successful applicants progressing to an offer of a place, to commence in October 2026.

About Teesside

We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive campus and to supporting all members of our University community to thrive whatever their age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, marital status, nationality or any other characteristic.
More about our Inclusive campus

As a Teesside University research student, you will join a growing and dynamic research community, allowing you to share your experiences, insight and inspiration with fellow researchers. You will benefit from our academic expertise and be supported through a strong programme of research training. You will be offered opportunities and support at each stage of your research degree. Our research is designed to have impact, and to influence policy and practice within our region, the UK and beyond. We work with external organisations to anticipate and respond to research needs, and to put our research into practice in sectors as diverse as the arts, engineering, healthcare and computing.

PhD students are encouraged to work with their supervisors to explore the potential impact of their work.

The successful candidate will be expected to participate fully in research group and centre activities, including training sessions and workshops, and will become a member of the University's wider postgraduate research community. Mentoring and support will be provided for the development of a strong academic and professional CV during the PhD.

Academic enquiries

For academic enquiries, please contact jennifer.ferguson@tees.ac.uk.

For administrative enquiries before or when making your application, contact research.enquiries@tees.ac.uk.

After an application has been made, please contact research.admissions@tees.ac.uk.

Key dates

Deadline: 08/05/2026 5:00PM
Interview date: We envisage that interviews will take place from 1 June 2026.
Start date: Successful applicants will be expected to start in October 2026.