PhD in Social Sciences - Children and Young People

Cardiff University

Our PhD programme is characterised by a strong focus on research training leading to theoretically-informed research that advances academic and policy debates. Working together across disciplines to improve the welfare of children and young people. Experts from the fields of education, social work, social policy and sociology are working together to identify the circumstances that hinder and foster the health and wellbeing of children and young people – particularly those who are the most vulnerable. Projects cover a wide range of issues that include evaluations of interventions designed to promote the health of young people in school settings, the impact of welfare policies such as free school breakfasts, and the relative success of campaigns to protect young people from the effects of smoking and drug use. We also have significant expertise in working with care-experienced young people to examine their experiences of education and the long-term consequences of social care policies. These issues are explored from diverse methodological approaches. We have particular expertise in randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, data linkage, and qualitative and mixed methods research. These diverse approaches ensure that we capture the ‘bigger picture’ alongside children and young people’s lived experiences.

School of Social Sciences