Project title: The Changing Landscape of Workplace Rights for Workers with Caring Responsibilities
Primary supervisor: Dr Ian Roper (University of Essex)
Second supervisor: Dr Beatrice Piccoli (University of Essex)
University: University of Essex
SENSS Theme: Justice, Institutions, and Social Change
Collaborative partner: Working Families
Collaborative partner supervisor: Dr Rebecca Jones
Degree structure: The structure of the studentship offered will depend on your personal training needs. However, the minimum duration of a SENSS-funded studentship will be 3.5 years: this covers a PhD and a mandatory placement of approximately 3 months. The maximum duration of a studentship will be 4.5 years: this covers a Masters degree followed by a PhD, as well as the mandatory 3-month placement.
Project background
This project is an exciting opportunity to conduct research on an important and very contemporary subject with the support of a high-profile NGO seeking to make a material difference to working people’s lives.
With introduction of the Employment Rights Bill, there is much attention on how it “…will ensure more people stay in work, make work more family-friendly and improve living standards…” (p3). This adds to the history of measures associated with the ‘work-life interface’ and in particular the organisational practices used to make working lives more equitable between men and women and/or as working parents. However, the variety of ‘flexible working practices’ available are wide and less is known about how the variety of practices available compare to what is needed and there is longstanding recognition that there can be gaps between organisational policy and actual practice, where line managers can vary in their willingness to grant such requests from staff. There are also wider forms of inequity among workers seeking such measures and the need to accommodate ‘caring responsibility’ is now widely accepted as extending beyond childcare. In the post Covid workplace, a notable shift has occurred in the increased demand for hybrid work. Yet this has also been countered by resistance among some policy makers, commentators and businesses to match-up to this increased demand. This PhD project will examine the variety of flexible working practices offered to workers with caring responsibilities against the backdrop of these changes in expectations and regulatory context.
Project aims and objectives
1. To review employer HR practices relating to working parent’s flexibility needs:
a. In relation to recognised best practice
b. In relation to changing regulation
c. In relation to changing expectations
2. To review the organisational processes by which working parent’s expectations are met
3. To review the existing business case for flexible working
The research will use a mixed-methods design:
Phase 1: Large-scale survey of UK employers and employees.
Phase 2: In-depth multimethod organisational case studies.
Essential and/or desirable attributes/skills
Essential:
Strong academic background in relevant social science discipline (e.g., HRM, organisation psychology, social policy, industrial relations, labour economics).
Competence in research methods (survey design, interviews).
Ability to analyse data using quantitative and qualitative approaches
Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
Interest in employment rights, equality, and work-life balance.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Desirable:
Awareness of UK employment law and policy context.
Familiarity with UK labour market trends or organisational practices
Commitment to impact-oriented research and stakeholder engagement.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
Training opportunities
A comprehensive package of training will be agreed in consultation with the supervisors. Elements of training will be provided by the supervisors, Working Families and by other providers at the University of Essex (UoE).
Specifically, the student will receive comprehensive training in:
Advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods (Essex Business School modules + Essex Summer School).
Policy engagement and impact (Policy Masterclass, Routes to Impact, UoE).
Knowledge exchange and co-production with stakeholders (Working Families).
Integrated placement at Working Families (3 months), gaining hands-on experience in policy advocacy and employer engagement.
Studentship details
Studentships are advertised as being between +3.5 and +4.5-year (1+3.5, 2+2.5, +4.5) awards. The standard length of an ESRC-funded studentship is +3.5. This includes the standard +3 PhD, plus an +0.25 (one term) for the integrated placement which you must take as part of your studentship, and a further additional +0.25 (one term) to enable you to undertake training relevant to your research project (including career progression). All studentships are offered on either a full-time or part-time basis.
The studentship award covers your university fees and provides you with a stipend of £20,780 per year. You will also be able to apply for additional funding via the SENSS Research Training Support Grant to support your training needs.
Residential eligibility
All applicants, whether Home or International, are eligible for a full award, that is, you will receive a stipend (salary) and you will not have to pay any university tuition fees during your studentship award.
How to apply for this studentship
To be considered for this funding, you must first apply to SENSS for this collaborative studentship. Please read the SENSS Collaborative Studentship Application Guidance Notes before completing the online application form. The Guidance Notes are available here.
If your application is accepted by SENSS, you will need to make a separate application for a place to study at the University of Essex as your host University. You will be provided with a link with information on how to make your application to the University of Essex once the SENSS proposal has been accepted.
Deadline:
The deadline for submitting your application for SENSS funding on HEIApply is 12:00 GMT on Monday 16 February 2026. No extensions to this deadline will be permitted.
For further enquiries:
For enquiries about this research project, please email Dr Ian Roper, University of Essex (i.roper@essex.ac.uk).
For enquiries related to your eligibility for this studentship, and/or the application process, please email: Laura Ruddick, Senior Postgraduate Research Education Manager (laura@essex.ac.uk)
The likely interview date for this project is 12 March 2026.