Supervisors: Dr Madhu Satsangi and Professor Douglas Robertson, in collaboration with the Rural Housing Service.
Closing Date: July 5th , 2013
 Research summary  This research will critically examine the applicability of theâ housing pathwayâ concept to the housing opportunities and decisions of young householders on Scottish Hebridean islands. These opportunities will be examined in light of the research evidence that the islands comprise particularly constrained rural housing markets and with specific reference to Our Island Home, a three-year programme of innovations in housing supply for young islanders (http://www.ruralhousingscotland.org/Rural_Housing_Service/Our_Island_Home.html).
The research will make a new contribution to the literature through its focus on neo-feudal, island environments. The research methods will include documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews and invite innovation in data gathering techniques from young islanders participating in this housing supply innovation. It is anticipated that the research will be communicated to academic audiences via conference presentations and refereed journal submissions. Further, the research has direct policy/practice outcomes as it allows the project partners, the Rural Housing Service, a means of reflexive engagement through providing an independent commentary on project implementation. As a consequence, it is anticipated that dissemination will also engage with a wider policy and practice audience.
Applicants  This is a 3-year research award from the ESRC DTC, commencing in October 2013. The award provides home/EU tuition fees and a maintenance grant paid at standard Research Council rates (see http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/media/news/2012news/Pages/121218.aspx). A criterion for receipt of this award is to have Masters level social science research training from
Either a MSc in social science research methods Or another Masters qualification together with appropriate research experience.
ESRC has residential criteria for awards, shown at http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/guidance/postgraduates/prospective-students/eligibility/index.aspx .
Applications should be sent to:-
Dr Madhu Satsangi
School of Applied Social Science
University of Stirling
Stirling
FK9 4LA