From Local Success to System Learning
How Culture and Teamwork Enable Sustainable Diagnostic Improvement in Emergency Departments
About this award
The ESRC‑funded White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) brings together the universities of Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Manchester Metropolitan, Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam, and York to provide a high‑quality, supportive, and inclusive environment for social science researchers.
As a PhD researcher at the University of Hull, you will also take part in our PGR Development Programme, which runs alongside your main degree and helps you build the skills and knowledge needed for your future career. On completion, you will gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Research Training alongside your PhD.
Course duration
Various - dependant on prior academic experience
Writing-up period
Not covered
Study mode
Full time or part time
Funding available
Covers tuition and living, training and project costs
Application date
All applications must be received by 17:00 Monday 9 March 2026
About the project
Emergency Departments across the NHS face ongoing pressures that put diagnostic safety at risk. Beyond structural fixes and new technologies, reliable diagnosis also depends on the cultural, cognitive, and behavioural dynamics within clinical teams.
Although research has examined organisational culture, diagnostic reasoning, and patient‑safety practices, it rarely looks at how these factors work together. Some EDs achieve major, sustained reductions in missed diagnoses through shared vigilance and strong communication, while others see little lasting change.
This project asks how culture, collective sensemaking, and teamwork shape sustainable diagnostic improvement. Working with Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, it uses qualitative case studies - interviews, observations, and abductive analysis - to build a practice‑grounded framework for improving diagnosis in pressured ED environments.
Training and programme routes
All ESRC funded students are expected to develop a strong foundation of core research skills. Your specific training route within the WRDTP will depend on your previous academic experience, particularly any social science research training you have already completed.
Applicants should choose the most suitable programme in consultation with their proposed supervisor. As part of the nomination process, your supervisor will complete a Development Needs Analysis to ensure your training matches your background and development needs.
Typical routes are:
- No social science Master’s degree: Funded for 4.5 years - a 1‑year MA in Social Research followed by a 3.5‑year PhD.
- Social science Master’s degree with fewer than 60 credits of M‑level research training: Funded for 3.75 years - an integrated PGCert/PhD.
- Social science Master’s degree with 60+ credits of M‑level research training: Funded for 3.5 years - a PhD.
Your supervisor or university can advise on the most appropriate route based on your prior study. The WRDTP considers a degree to be a social science degree if at least 50% of its taught modules fall within an ESRC recognised subject area.
Find out more about how to apply and eligibility criteria.
For informal enquires, please contact Professor Nishikant Mishra.
About ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership and Collaborative Awards:
Our community values diverse methods, theoretical perspectives, and ways of working. We are committed to collaborating with non‑academic partners, shaping public and social policy, and involving affected or marginalised communities where appropriate.
ESRC White Rose DTP Collaborative Awards reflect this commitment by supporting PhD projects developed in partnership with organisations in the public, private, or third sectors. To qualify as a collaboration:
- The partner must be a non‑academic organisation.
- The partnership must involve genuine two‑way knowledge exchange, not just data collection.
- The partner organisation should play an active role in shaping the project.
How to apply
- Choose PhD Management (full‑time or part‑time), with a September 2026 start date.
- Apply to the standard PhD; if you are awarded a White Rose scholarship, you’ll be moved to the correct WRDTP route (Masters + PhD, 3.5‑year PhD, or 3.75‑year PhD).
- Select White Rose as your funding source.
- Instead of a research proposal, upload the WRDTP scholarships application form. Guidance on how to complete the form is available.
- You must also upload required documents such as transcripts and a personal statement. Full details are on the Applying to Hull webpages.
- The WRDTP panel will make the final decision on your programme route.
- Applicants must meet both Hull’s entry requirements and the ESRC’s minimum criteria.
- All applicants must complete the ESRC’s short online EDI monitoring form (link provided in the scholarship application form).
Please note
You do not apply directly to the WRDTP. Universities nominate candidates, so allow time to contact supervisors and follow any internal deadlines or processes.
Eligibility
We’re looking for motivated students with strong ideas and a clear vision for how their social science research can make a real impact. As a partnership, we value equality, diversity and inclusion, interdisciplinarity, academic excellence, and meaningful collaboration. Each year we welcome students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, lived experiences, and countries around the world.
For full details on entry requirements, please see our postgraduate admissions webpage.
This scholarship is open to both full‑time and part‑time applicants.
Applicants must meet the entry requirements of their nominating school or department, as well as the ESRC’s minimum criteria. The ESRC requires candidates to hold a good honours degree (first or upper second) from a UK higher education institution, or an equivalent international qualification or experience. Applicants without an undergraduate degree can still be eligible if they have completed at least one full‑time year (or two years part‑time) of study toward a UK higher degree.
Funding
The award provides a £21,805 annual stipend (rising each year in line with UKRI rates) plus full tuition fees for the duration of your funded research period.
Successful applicants can also apply for Research Training Support Grants to help cover research-related costs.
All scholarships include a compulsory three‑month ‘Research in Practice’ placement. This is fully funded and built into the length of the studentship - for example, a standard 3.5 year PhD includes an additional three months for the placement. More details are available in the WRDTP Collaborative Awards - Guidance for Applicants.
Interested in applying?
This PhD scholarship is fully funded by the University of Hull. The successful applicant will be based at the University of Hull.
If you are ready to apply, please use the full time or part time PhD Management application links below and submit your application, including your personal statement, by 9 March 2026.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for (an online) interview during week commencing 16 March 2026.
Get in touch
Have a question that’s not answered here? Reach out to us today.
Annual stipend will increase each year in line with the UKRI rate, and full tuition fees. The stipend and tuition fees will be paid for the duration of the research period only.
International students are welcome to apply for this scholarship. Please note that the ESRC caps the number available to International applicants at 30%.