PhD Studentship in the SNSF-funded project: “How do values take shape in classrooms?”

The Westminster Centre for Psychological Sciences, School of Social Sciences at the University of Westminster is pleased to offer one fully funded PhD studentship for prospective researchers beginning in September 2026.

Project overview

The studentship is part of the four-year Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)-funded project: 

“How do values take shape in classrooms? A mixed-methods study of teacher and peer influences on children’s value formation in primary schools in Switzerland and the UK.”

The project investigates how teachers and peers may shape the development of personal values (e.g., independence, kindness) among primary school children in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It aims to disentangle the dynamic effects within the classroom in order to establish a robust foundation for personal value development in early schooling. Building on the findings of the preceding ‘VALues In School Education (VALISE)’ research project, the present project (VALISE_CLASSROOM) focuses on processes of value formation within the classroom. The results are intended to support teachers and school leaders in shaping the classroom as an effective environment for children’s social and moral development. 

The PhD project will contribute to the UK strand of the research and will involve:

  • Semi-structured interviews with primary school teachers.
  • Quantitative research with children examining the impact of pedagogical practices on values and behaviour.

Details of award

  • Full home-fee waiver.
  • Annual stipend of £23,805 (2026/27, including London weighting), rising annually in line with UKRI rates.
  • Duration: 4 years.

Eligibility

This studentship is open to Home (UK) students only.

Applicants should ideally have:

  • A relevant Master’s degree (or expected) in Psychology, Educational Sciences, or a related discipline, OR
  • Relevant professional experience (e.g. teaching or research).

How to apply

Applications should include:

  • Personal statement (maximum 1,500 words) explaining why you are interested in researching this topic, including what you would bring to the project and how you think you would develop it to reflect your own interests and expertise.
  • A sample of writing – this could be a piece of academic writing (e. g, BSc or MSc dissertation) or a text written in the course of any current or previous professional work.
  • Your CV.
  • Two references (at least one academic).
  • Transcript of university-level grades and qualification certificates.

Please include “VALISE_CLASSROOM” in the application header.

Apply

Apply here

Application deadline: 30 May 2026. 

For informal inquiries please email Dr Anna Doering .