Discover the new LSE studentship with the Women’s Budget Group 2026 — a fully funded PhD opportunity exploring care, gender, and policy innovation in the UK.

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), through its ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), has announced a new Collaborative Studentship in partnership with the Women’s Budget Group (WBG). This prestigious PhD opportunity, set to commence in September 2026, is titled “Conceptualizing the Diversity of Care Responsibilities and Understanding the Gendered Policy Implications.”

The initiative brings together LSE’s Department of Gender Studies and the Women’s Budget Group, combining academic excellence with applied research impact to address one of the most pressing social challenges in the UK — how care responsibilities shape gender inequalities in work, welfare, and well-being.

1. Understanding the Project Focus

The studentship, led by Professor Wendy Sigle, explores the intersection between care, employment, and gender policy. As the current UK government aims to raise employment levels to 80%, significant policy attention has been directed toward individuals not currently in paid employment — including people with disabilities and unpaid carers.

However, current policy responses often overlook the complexity of care work. Many carers are themselves living with disabilities, and measures requiring them to enter the labour market without expanding formal care provision may increase inequalities rather than reduce them.

The LSE–Women’s Budget Group collaboration aims to create a nuanced understanding of care responsibilities — moving beyond the simplistic “carer” label to reveal the diverse intensity, duration, and emotional dimensions of care.

For more about LSE’s Department of Gender Studies, visit LSE Gender Studies Department.

2. Research Objectives and Approach

The doctoral project will contribute to both conceptual and empirical research. The selected PhD student will work to:

• Develop clearer definitions and frameworks for understanding care responsibilities.

• Document how different types of care impact the lives and economic stability of caregivers.

• Identify policy interventions that prevent families with high care needs from falling into poverty.

• Recommend pathways to support transitions out of poverty, particularly in gendered contexts.

While the primary research setting will be the United Kingdom, the project may include a comparative international component, depending on the candidate’s interests and methodological expertise.

3. Studentship Structure and Benefits

The LSE ESRC Collaborative Studentship will begin in September 2026 and run for 3.5 years.
It covers full tuition fees and provides an annual stipend (for 2025/26, this was £22,780).

The studentship offers not only financial support but also access to two influential research environments:

• The Women’s Budget Group, a leading UK feminist economics organization dedicated to gender-responsive budgeting and equality analysis. Learn more at wbg.org.uk.

• The LSE Department of Gender Studies, internationally recognized for its interdisciplinary research on gender, policy, and inequality.

This partnership ensures that the PhD student will gain hands-on experience at the intersection of academic research and real-world policy advocacy.

4. Candidate Requirements

Applicants must already hold an MPhil or Master’s degree (or international equivalent) in a related field, such as Gender Studies, Sociology, Political Science, or another social science discipline with a substantive gender focus.

Experience with quantitative data analysis — through coursework or professional work — is essential. The studentship is open to candidates of all nationalities, reflecting LSE’s commitment to global inclusion and academic diversity.

For more details about entry requirements, applicants can explore the official LSE PhD in Gender Studies programme page.

5. Application Process and Key Dates

Applicants should apply via the LSE MPhil/PhD in Gender Studies portal. Instead of submitting a standard research proposal, candidates should reference the Collaborative Studentship project title and outline their suitability for the role in the “Statement of Academic Purpose.”

Those who wish to be considered for general admission to the programme should also attach a separate research proposal meeting LSE’s general criteria.

Deadline for applications: 10 December 2025

For more info and how to apply click here .
For questions, candidates may contact Pam Rolfe, Deputy Head of Scholarships and Financial Support, at p.rolfe@lse.ac.uk.

Conclusion

This LSE Collaborative Studentship with the Women’s Budget Group represents a rare opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on care, gender, and policy — while benefiting from a fully funded doctoral position in one of the world’s top universities.

For anyone passionate about social justice, gender equality, and inclusive policy design, this PhD path offers not only academic growth but also the chance to drive real change in how societies understand and value care.

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