Project description

Staveley Town Deal – The Staveley Town Deal is a programme of projects which cover the themes of Place, Health and Wellbeing, Innovation and Enterprise, and Inclusive Growth. Staveley, in North Derbyshire, was one of the 101 towns across England invited to make a Town Deal bid as part of the Government’s Towns Fund. The Staveley Town Deal was awarded £25.2m in March 2021. It includes a range of regeneration projects that will be delivered by March 2026 with and for the communities of the Staveley area. Key projects include: Barrow Hill Memorial Hall; Chesterfield Canal Restoration; Staveley Waterside; Wheels to Work; DRIIVe (Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle); Construction Skills Hub; Staveley 21; Hartington Industrial Park; Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club, Skills Academy. The overall aim of the programme is to ensure the area is “a place to start, stay and grow”.

Social Infrastructure – The concept of Social Infrastructure has found increasing resonance among local and national policymakers, researchers and urban planners, often in the context of programmes of local investment, regeneration and socio-economic development. Different definitions are used, though in the public policy arena Social Infrastructure tends to refer to “spaces, services and structures that support the quality of life of a nation, region, city or local community” (British Academy 2023). Social Infrastructure offers a useful framework to explore the links between physical spaces and community assets on the one hand, and processes of social connectedness, development and economic growth on the other (D’Angelo et al. forthcoming).

Purpose/objectives

The doctoral research – This sponsored PhD will undertake ‘Social Infrastructure’ research focusing on the town of Staveley. It will, firstly, map the extent and characteristics of local social infrastructure (assets, resources and sources of support) as an effect of the Town Deal programme and wider social and economic resources at community level. Secondly, and crucially, it will explore the potential for future social and economic development, identifying gaps and priorities for further community-level engagement, public interventions and private investments, for the pursuit of inclusive growth, social mobility and social cohesion. The study will need to employ a multi-stakeholder approach, assessing public, private and third sector resources, needs and priorities, as well as exploring diverse community experiences, perceptions and aspirations. The scope and aims of the project will require a multi-method, interdisciplinary approach, likely to combine quantitative and qualitative methods, with elements of geographical mapping and analysis of community networks.

The University of Derby is currently undertaking a Scoping Exercise which will produce a preliminary evidence base, further detail the required scope and aims of the study, and identify potential methodological approaches to be used for the PhD. This will form the starting point of the 3-year PhD study.

Who can apply?

We would welcome applications from candidates from a range of disciplinary area and expertise, including: Public and Social Policy; Human, Social and Economic Geography; Planning, Architecture; Social Sciences (Social Capital and Social Infrastructure theory; Social Network Analysis). Experience or commitment to undertake mixed-methods, interdisciplinary research and knowledge of visual, mapping and participatory action research would be an advantage. A local knowledge of Staveley, Chesterfield or the wider region – through work, study or lived experience – is also a desirable requisite.

Due to the nature of the project, only home students can apply.

To apply

Please review our entry requirements before submitting your application and check out the ‘Getting Started’ section below.

Completed applications should be submitted via our online application system quoting funding reference: EXT_BLSS_Staveley_25-26

Apply online

Closing dates for applications: Friday 10 October 2025.

(Please note: we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close before 10 October 2025 if a high volume of applications is received.)

Interviews: 4 and 5 November 2025.

If you have not been invited for an interview by the interview date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

For other enquiries which are subject-specific please contact:

Professor Alessio D’Angelo – a.dangelo@derby.ac.uk

Find out more about our Business, Economic and Social Policy.

Getting started

Before you begin your application, make sure you have:

Studentship funding reference code

This is provided on the individual studentship advert and must be specified in your application.

Personal statement

A 500-word personal statement outlining your suitability for the studentship project. This is a mandatory requirement and you must upload it into your application. You should include your reasons for applying for the studentship, your experience in the field, how you feel you would benefit from studying and relevant information about your previous studies.

Your CV

A CV outlining your academic and professional experience.

Qualifications

Your qualification details including grades and dates taken. You will have the opportunity to upload scanned copies of your qualification certificates and transcripts in the application. If you have no formal qualifications, you can also state this in your application.

Passport/birth certificate

A scanned copy of your passport or full birth certificate. This will help us verify your application to study with us. International applicants can provide a copy of their passport only for visa assessment purposes, and their current visa if residing within the UK.

Academic references

Two signed academic references. This is optional at application stage but highly encouraged. If successful in your application, two academic references will be a mandatory requirement of admission. The references should be in written format, signed and dated from either a supervisor or tutor from your most recent studies.