School of Social and Political Science

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The scholarship application system for academic year 2024/25 closed at 23:59 (GMT) on Thursday 21st March, 2024. Scholarship availability for academic year 2025/26 will be advised here from November 2024.

Shine a light on the experiences of sole carers with this scholarship, which supports postgraduate social work research on one-parent families. The scholarship is funded by a generous donation from The Julie-Ann Macqueen Trust.

Applicants must submit two separate applications by the deadline:

• Application for admission to the PhD in Social Work degree in the School of Social and Political Science (must be submitted at least 5 working days before the scholarship deadline)
• Macqueen PhD Scholarship application

Updated or additional documents or information for your PhD programme application cannot be accepted after your application has been sent for academic assessment. Before then, any updated or additional documents must be uploaded directly to your PhD application via your MyEd account.

Updated or additional documents or information for your scholarship application cannot be accepted after you have submitted your scholarship application. 

Late applications cannot be accepted.

Macqueen Scholarship application process

Ensure you visit the Important Information and Recommendations section before you apply. We consider this section to be essential reading.

The scholarship award application process involves two main applications:

1. Apply for PhD in Social Work degree
2. Apply for your Macqueen PhD Scholarship

Applying for the PhD Social Work

You will only be able to apply for a scholarship after you have submitted an application to study for the PhD in Social Work programme. 

You must submit a complete application for admission to the PhD in Social Work research degree by the awards deadline. For further information on the application process, please see our how to apply page.

The application to study is made via the University's online applications system EUCLID. The application to study must be submitted at least 5 working days prior to the scholarship application deadline. This allows your University Username (UUN eg s1234567) to be activated in time for you to submit your scholarship application before its deadline.

You must submit a full application by the deadline, including:

• research proposal
• final or interim official undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts
• references
• name of supervisor (from Option 1 or 2 below)
• CV

These documents will be automatically pulled through to the scholarship system.

If you require new links for the above in your PhD application, please email pgresearch.sps@ed.ac.uk to request this and include your full name and University Username (UUN eg s1234567). 

You do not need to wait to receive an offer to study before applying for the Macqueen PhD Scholarship - but you must submit a complete application to study by the deadline or your scholarship application will not be considered.

Once you have submitted your application for study on the PhD Social Work programme, you can then submit your funding application. Note that if you are also applying for other scholarships, you must submit a separate application for each individual funding scheme you are applying to.

For further information on PhD study please see our PhD Programmes webpage.

For further information on the application process, please see our how to apply page.

Applying for the Macqueen PhD Scholarship

Once you have submitted your application for study, you can then submit your Macqueen PhD Scholarship funding application.

Application to the Macqueen PhD Scholarship is via the University's online scholarships application form located within the EUCLID applicant hub.

After submitting your application for the PhD Social Work programme, you will receive a University Username (UUN eg s1234567) and access to MyEd where you can reach the scholarship application system.

Instructions on the online awards/scholarship application system can be found on the Student Systems webpage.

Before applying, please read the self-assessment page, which provides helpful information about the factors that help make a successful application. Please note that applications for scholarships are extremely competitive.

Supporting documents (upload these to your PhD programme application)

The supporting documents submitted with your application to study (research proposal/s, academic transcripts, CV, and references etc.) will be used to assess your funding application. Please also note that all material will be reviewed and assessed digitally.

Research proposal/s

We recommend you follow the guidance on writing research proposals.  

Important: you may only apply for one of the projects, not both, and you must upload a separate research proposal for your chosen project. This research proposal should be up to 1,000 words with the heading, 'Macqueen Scholarship Application' and must outline how you would pursue the chosen option as a doctoral student. You must note the project option and supervisor it relates to on your proposal to confirm your choice.

If you have already uploaded a research proposal to your PhD application and require a new link for the above, please email pgresearch.sps@ed.ac.uk to request this and include your full name and University Username (UUN eg s1234567). 

Personal statement

The scholarship application system will ask you to provide a personal statement (up to 500 words/3500 characters including spaces).

In your scholarship application, please tailor your personal statement to include why you wish to study at this School and why you are a desirable candidate for this particular scholarship. We are interested in you as a whole person, not just academically. Please also tell us about your preparedness to undertake and complete a PhD and to flourish as a result of PhD funding, and how you will contribute to a positive and diverse PhD community within the School. This could include diversity of identity, experience, or viewpoint. 

Conditional offers

If you are in receipt of a conditional offer (including conditional on English language), you are still eligible to apply for the Macqueen PhD Scholarship. 

Should you receive an award, but not meet the conditions of your offer, they would not be able to take up the award.

Help and guidance

Information on the Student Systems website may help you with guidance on the scholarship application system.

Applying for a postgraduate scholarship

Technical support and guidance

You can also view our applying for scholarships frequently asked questions: 

Frequently asked questions - applying for scholarships in the MyEd portal

If you have application queries not answered in the above guidance, please contact pgresearch.sps@ed.ac.uk

For project-specific queries, please contact the lead supervisors.

Option 1 - Dr Franziska Meinck. Single parent families: experiences of fathers and grandmothers in South Africa

Supervisors

Dr Franziska Meinck, University of Edinburgh

Dr Khudejha Asghar, University of Edinburgh

Assoc. Prof. Nicola Christofides, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Dr Nataly Woollett, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 

Background:

Globally, up to a quarter of all children grow up in single-parent families, where the parent lives alone with the child or children without a partner. There is an increasing evidence-base showing that children growing up in single-parent families have consistently worse outcomes across the life course. In particular growing-up in a single parent family is associated with increased risk for poor mental health (Weitoft et al., 2003), aggression (Kroese et al., 2021), and poorer educational attainment (De Lange et al., 2014), when compared to growing-up in a two-parent family. Single-parent families report consistently higher levels of poverty and parenting stress (OECD, 2022) than two-parent families.

In South Africa, 42% of children live with only their mothers, 4% only with their fathers and 21% live without their biological parent and most commonly stay with a lone grandmother (2020). South Africa is therefore experiencing very high rates of single-parent families compared to e.g., Britain where only 15% of children are in single-parent households (Office for National Statistics, 2021). The limited research available from South Africa on single-parent families highlights a higher risk for teenage pregnancy, neonatal mortality (Ramaiya et al., 2014), sexual risk behaviours, suicidality in girls and hypermasculinity in the form of aggression and violence in boys (Morrell, 2006). 

However, thus far research has investigated factors associated with living in single-mother headed homes and little is known about single fathers and grandmothers who act as primary caregivers for children, or about intergenerational patterns of single-parenthood. 

Aims:

This PhD project therefore has three aims: 1) to describe single parenthood in both fathers and grandmothers in South Africa; 2) to investigate factors associated with single parenting among fathers and grandmothers on all levels of the socio-ecological model; and 3) to examine intergenerational patterns of single parenthood and their underlying mechanisms. 

Methods:

The PhD project will use a quantitative design using descriptive statistics and regression modelling thus making it suitable for a student with limited experience of quantitative methods. It could be turned into a sequential explanatory mixed methods study design where patterns in the quantitative data will be explained through interrogations of qualitative data (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018), but this component is not currently funded.

The quantitative data will stem from the INTERRUPT_VIOLENCE Study, a three generational longitudinal study on intergenerational violence transmission in South Africa, of which Dr Meinck is the PI. INTERRUPT_VIOLENCE will have three waves of data from 1650 participants interviewed in 2010/11 (mean age 13.5 years old), 2011/2012 (mean age 14.5 years old) and 2022/2023 (mean age 26 years old) and include data on the original participant’s primary caregiver (aged 45-90) and child (aged 6-17). Data collection will be completed by December 2023 and as such the student will have a readily available dataset for analyses. 

There is an option for the PhD student to collect qualitative data in South Africa in the fieldwork sites adjacent to the INTERRUPT_VIOLENCE Study with both adults and children. The annual research support grant could be used to fund this. If the qualitative data collection took place, the student will be based at the University of the Witwatersrand Rural Campus and will be well supported by the study team in field. Some experience conducting in-depth qualitative interviews and data analysis is a requirement.

Conclusion:

The project will provide rich and reliable information on the factors associated with single-fatherhood and -grandparenthood in South Africa and will improve our understanding of mechanisms associated with intergenerational transmission of single-parenthood. 

References:

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research.

De Lange, M., Dronkers, J., & Wolbers, M. (2014). Single-parent family forms and children’s educational performance in a comparative perspective: Effects of school’s share of single-parent families. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 25(3), 329–350.

Duriancik, D. M., & Goff, C. R. (2019). Children of single-parent households are at a higher risk of obesity: A systematic review. Journal of Child Health Care, 23(3), 358–369. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367493519852463

Kroese, J., Bernasco, W., Liefbroer, A. C., & Rouwendal, J. (2021). Growing up in single-parent families and the criminal involvement of adolescents: A systematic review. Psychology, Crime & Law, 27(1), 61–75. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2020.1774589

Morrell, R. (2006). Fathers, fatherhood and masculinity in South Africa. In BABA: Men and Fatherhood in South Africa (p. 13). HSRC Press.

OECD. (2022). Evolving Family Models in Spain: A New National Framework for Improved Support and Protection For Families. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/c27e63ab-en.

Office for National Statistics. (2021, March 2). Families and households in the UK. Census 2021. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/families/bulletins/familiesandhouseholds/2020

Ramaiya, A., Kiss, L., Baraitser, P., Mbaruku, G., & Hildon, Z. (2014). A systematic review of risk factors for neonatal mortality in Adolescent Mother’s in Sub Saharan Africa. BMC Research Notes, 7(1), 750. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-7-750

Statistics South Africa. (2020). General Household Survey South Africa 2019. Statistics South Africa.

Weitoft, G. R., Hjern, A., Haglund, B., & Rosén, M. (2003). Mortality, severe morbidity, and injury in children living with single parents in Sweden: A population-based study. Lancet (London, England), 361(9354), 289–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12324-0

 

Option 2 - Dr Jackie Gulland. Investigating the experiences of lone parents who are also caregivers.

Supervisors

Dr Jackie Gulland, University of Edinburgh

Dr Hayley Bennett, University of Edinburgh

External supervisors may also form part of the supervisory team

Background: 

This project addresses the question of lone parents as both parents and as carers. Some lone parents are carers of disabled children, while others are ‘sandwich carers’, people who are simultaneously supporting their own children and disabled adult relatives or friends. 

Social security and social care policies force people to identify in categories: either as carers or as parents, leaving little space for people who occupy multiple roles as both parents and carers. Social security conditionality also expects people to juggling these multiple roles with paid work or work seeking requirements.

Census information shows that 14 % of unpaid carers are also lone parents (England and Wales Census 2021). 41% of lone parents are aged over 50, an age at which many people find themselves also acting as caregivers for other relatives. Meanwhile it has been estimated that around 32% of disabled children live in lone parent households, (Yeandle and valentine 2013).

Relationships between parents, their children and other people they may support are also interdependent. For example, in a key legal case regarding social security, a lone parent was successful in ensuring that exemptions to the ‘benefit cap’ were extended to carers. The lone parent in this case had an interdependent relationship with her grandmother, for whom she provided care but who also provided support to the children in the family ([2015] EWHC 3382 (Admin)).

Social security policy has stringent eligibility criteria if people wish to claim carers’ benefits (see Gulland 2023). However carers’ benefits are paid at such a low rate that most claimants, especially lone parents, would also need to claim the means-tested Universal Credit. Work-seeking requirements in Universal Credit mean that most claimants must show that they are in paid work or making serious attempts to seek work. In-work conditionality means that even those who are in paid work part-time must show how they are seeking to increase their hours. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to benefit sanctions, reducing the income of low income families to below the poverty line (Adler 2018). There are some ways in which lone parents, carers and those with health conditions can seek to mitigate this conditionality so that their caring responsibilities are recognised. However lone parents who are also carers may struggle to explain the complexity of their lives to work coaches.  Work coaches also have limited discretion in their responses to lone parents’ challenges (Wright 2023).

Aim: 

The aim of the research is to explore the dual or multiple responsibilities of people who are both lone parents and carers. The focus will be on the interaction between these roles and the ways in which social security and wider social welfare policies influence lone parents’ challenges regarding paid work and care.

Methods: 

It is anticipated that this will be a qualitative study, focussing on the lived experience of lone parents who are carers and carers who are lone parents. However new census data in both England and Wales and in Scotland will also be available, enabling the study to include an element of descriptive quantitative research to help contextualise the rich qualitative data. 

We particularly encourage applicants who wish to use creative methods to support lone parents to share their lived experience of their situation. The successful applicant will have access to specialist advice from the School’s Research Training Centre and from the Binks Hub (creative arts methods group).

The geographical focus of the study would be negotiated between the student, the supervisors and partner agencies. This could include a Scotland, UK or wider geographical spread. If the applicant wishes to focus on the UK, supervisors will use their existing contacts with relevant third sector organisations to assist with recruitment. 

Supervisory team: The supervisors for this project will be Dr Jackie Gulland (social work) and Dr Hayley Bennett (social policy). They have extensive experience in social work and social security policy and have expertise in a range of qualitative methods. Should the student wish to combine the study with quantitative methods, further supervisory expertise will be sought from within the School of Social and Political Science.

References:

Adler, M. (2018) Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment? Benefit Sanctions in the UK. Basingstoke: Palgrave Pivot.

Gulland, J. (2023) ‘How Does Carer’s Allowance in the UK Construct Family Carers? History and Recent Developments’, International Journal of Care and Caring, pp. 1–17.

Wright, S. (2023) Women and welfare Conditionality: lived experiences of benefit sanctions, work and welfare  Bristol, Policy Press.

Yeandle, S. and valentine, kylie (2013) ‘Reconciling work and care for parent-carers of disabled children in Australia and England: uncertain progress’, in T. Kroger and S. Yeandle (eds) Combining paid work and family care: Policies and experiences in international perspective

Assessment process and results

Postgraduate Advisors and supporting Subject Area academics will undertake an initial screening assessment of all scholarship applications with the strongest applications put forward to the next stage.

At this stage, the Macqueen selection panel – consisting of academics in, or linked to the Social Work subject area at Edinburgh, will meet to assess the shortlisted candidates in Spring 2024. Results will be communicated to candidates by email shortly thereafter.

Awardees are given 7 calendar days to respond to the scholarship offer. If no response is received by the given date, the offer will be rescinded and awarded to the next reserve candidate.

Note that we also hold a reserve list in the event that a successful candidate later declines their award, for example because they obtain different funding. In this case, the award will be offered to the top candidate on the reserve list.

Please note that as part of the selection process an external representative will be reviewing your application.

We aim to contact Macqueen PhD Scholarship candidates to let them know the outcome of their application by the end of April 2024.

The Macqueen award value

The award covers:

• Full tuition fees (UK, EU or Overseas level)
• The stipend will be set to the UKRI level for 2024/25. For reference, the UKRI level for 2023/24 is currently £18,622 for full-time students, or the pro rata equivalent for part-time students.
• a £750 annual research grant

The award is made for 3 years for full time students or 6 years pro-rata for part-time students.

This award has been made possible by a generous donation from The Julie-Ann Macqueen Trust. Ms Macqueen played a leading role in bringing the struggles of single-parent families to the attention of the public and policy and law-makers. 

The generous donation from The Julie-Ann Macqueen Trust will fund two Postgraduate Research Social Work scholarships for students whose research focuses on one-parent families.

 

Other funding opportunities

This funding form is also used for several other awards, including:

• Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships - SPS
• 'CAHSS Research Award - SPS'
• School of Social and Political Science PhD Scholarship
• Alice Brown PhD Scholarship
• Chrystal Macmillan PhD Scholarship

Important - please ensure you check each scholarship deadline as they may differ.

You must enter a separate scholarship application for each award you wish to be considered for.

If you are applying for more than one PhD programme, you must also submit separate scholarship applications for each programme.