MPhil/PhD
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Key Information


Campus

Brayford Pool

Entry Requirements

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Full-time

MPhil: 1.5-3 years. PhD: 2-4 years

Part-time

MPhil: 2-4 years. PhD: 3-8 years

Start Dates in October and January

Programme Overview

Understanding the attitudes and behaviours that underpin our culture and define the environments within which we live and work, can help us reduce the inequalities that are so prevalent in societies and communities across the world.

At the Eleanor Glanville Institute, our research critically addresses issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion and advances new ideas unconstrained by disciplinary boundaries. By joining our research teams, students can engage in cutting-edge research with real-life impact, and contribute to our ambition to change culture and achieve inclusive excellence.

The Eleanor Glanville Institute offers the opportunity to work at doctoral level alongside academics whose research has been internationally recognised. Researchers in the Institute include Professor Belinda Colston, whose expertise lies in the development and evaluation of innovative strategies and mechanisms for building inclusive research environments, and their wider impact across the sector, and Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, Abigail Powell, who is an expert in the gender division of labour (in the home and workplace), with a particular focus on gender in male-dominated occupations; youth studies; financial wellbeing and complex evaluation and impact measurement.

Students can benefit from a supportive academic community, where ideas and experiences are shared with the aim of advancing knowledge, and informing strategy, policy and practice across the sector and the wider field.

Key Features

Conduct independent, original, and academically significant research

Benefit from training courses to develop key research skills

Supervision and support from an advisory panel of academic staff

Present at talks and seminars to showcase your work

Enrol in January or October each year

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How You Study

This research programme relies on independent study and research, supervised by an advisory panel of academic staff. Most students are initially enrolled on an MPhil programme. After one year, if sufficient progress can be demonstrated, students have the option to transfer to a PhD programme.

Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the majority of time is spent in independent study and research, but you might also attend seminars and other research activities. Students will have meetings with their academic supervisor at least once a month, but the precise frequency of these will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and stage of programme.

Research Areas and Topics

Potential areas of work are aligned with the Institute's current research strengths and specialisms and include (but are not limited to):

  • Perceptions and prejudice: challenging attitudes, behaviours, practices
  • Structures and culture: challenging organisational and societal barriers
  • Inclusive research environments (within HEI and beyond)
  • Life course approach: examining EDI beyond a single life stage and life sphere
  • Intersectionality: investigating how race, gender, disability, sexuality class and other characteristics intersect
  • Interdisciplinarity: embedding EDI in other scientific research
  • Social justice: migration, crime, precarious working, globalisation

Find out more on the Institute's research pages:

https://eleanorglanvilleinstitute.lincoln.ac.uk/research

How you are assessed

Students will be required to demonstrate adequate and appropriate progress on an annual basis. Final assessment is by an oral examination (viva voce) of a research thesis. Students are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.

How to Apply

Postgraduate Research Application Support

Find out more about the application process for research degrees and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page, which also features contact details for dedicated support with your application.

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Enrolment

To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October or January. In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey.

However, applications are welcome at any point throughout the year, and enrolment can also take place at any relevant point. Alternative enrolment dates should be agreed with your supervisors on an individual basis.

Entry Requirements 2025-26

Entry Requirements

A Master's degree in a related field. An undergraduate qualification (a good honours degree) and/or experience through professional practice may also be considered.

Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element.

For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills

Programme Fees

You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below. Research students may be required to pay additional fees in addition to cover the cost of specialist resources, equipment and access to any specialist collections that may be required to support their research project. These will be informed by your research proposal and will be calculated on an individual basis.

Programme Fees

Funding Your Research

Loans and Studentships

Find out more about the options available to support your postgraduate research, from Master's and Doctoral Loans, to research studentship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.

Two students working on a laptop in a study space

Career Development

A doctoral qualification can be the capstone of academic achievement and often marks the beginning of a career in academia or research. A research programme provides the opportunity to become a true expert in your chosen field, while developing a range of valuable transferable skills that can support your career progression. A research-based degree is also the most direct pathway to an academic career. PhDs and research degrees are a great chance to expand your network and meet diverse people with similar interests, knowledge, and passion.

The University’s Doctoral School provides a focal point for Lincoln’s community of researchers, where ideas and experiences can be developed and shared across disciplines. It also offers support and training to help equip you for both academic and non-academic careers.

Doctoral School

Academic Contact

For more information about this course, please contact:

Prof Abigail Powell
egipgr@lincoln.ac.uk

Research at Lincoln

Through our research, we are striving to change society for the better. Working with regional, national, and international partners, our academics are engaged in groundbreaking studies that are challenging the status quo. We also understand the importance of providing the best possible environment for pursuing research that can support our communities and make a tangible difference to the world around us.

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The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.