Durham University PhD Studentship on Contextual Safeguarding in Catholic Church Contexts

• Do you believe that safeguarding in faith contexts needs to privilege the voices, experiences, and wisdom of children and young people?
• Do you want to contribute to creating safe and healthy relationships and life-giving environments in Catholic Church contexts?
• Do you hold a good Masters degree (or equivalent)? 

if you answered yes to these three questions, we could have the perfect post-graduate opportunity for you. 

The Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University is inviting applications from individuals to undertake a fully funded 3-year PhD on the topic of Contextual Safeguarding in Catholic Church Contexts. The post is jointly hosted between the Centre for Catholic Studies and the new Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding (Department of Sociology), both based at Durham University. The post is funded by Porticus UK. 

The successful candidate will undertake a PhD program related closely to the work being carried out in the Conversations, Culture and Communion project based at the Centre for Catholic Studies.

They will work under the supervision of the Research Lead on this project, Professor Clare Watkins, with co-supervision from Professor Carlene Firmin, the Director of the Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding (GCCS), and one other scholar from the GCCS. 

Funding: Subject to eligibility, the scholarship covers UK / EU tuition fees and a grant towards living expenses of £20,780 in the first year, with small annual increases into the second and third years (pro rata for part-time study). Funding for an additional 6 months of living expenses is available if needed. 
Successful applicants will also have access to a small travel grant, and will be supported to deliver their PhD within the active research culture of the Centre for Catholic Studies, Department of Theology and Religion, in partnership with the GCCS. 

Hours: Full time or Part time

Closing Date: July 4th 2025

Interview Date: July 17th 2025 

Starts: 1st Oct 2025

Further details, including the application process and the required supporting documents can be found in this pdf: CCS GCCS PHD Advert Final.

Enquiries regarding the application process should be forwarded to theo-pgresearchadmissions@durham.ac.uk . Applicants are encouraged to contact Prof. Clare Watkins for conversation about this opportunity. Clare will also be happy to assist with drafting a proposal.