King's College London

Introduction

Combining the academic rigour of a university department with the agility of a consultancy and the influence of a think tank. The Policy Institute has a strong track record of shaping public debate and informing policy decisions.

The Applied Public Policy PhD programme will equip you with the skills to conduct impactful public policy research, providing opportunities to study policy in real time, understand how policy can be influenced, and evaluate the effectiveness of public policy interventions. Through research-focused training and supervisory support, you will develop the expertise needed to contribute meaningful evidence that supports better policymaking and positive societal outcomes.

What you will gain

• Gain a detailed understanding of research that helps to shape policy and practice and achieves lasting impacts in the real world.

• Interact with the Institute’s visiting faculty, including former civil servants, politicians, journalists, and independent thinkers.

• Draw on the extensive academic expertise, research networks, conferences, and events available throughout the faculty and across King’s.

• Shape your own research training journey by taking advantage of the Institute’s Methods Club, Evaluation Seminars, and a wide range of research forums designed to strengthen your methodological and analytical expertise.

• Access training offered by the King's Doctoral College and the London Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Training Partnership (LISS-DTP) supported by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council

Who is this programme for?

The Policy Institute works across five main research areas, with communications, impact and engagement an important connecting thread: Trust, facts and democracy; Communities and opportunity; Health systems and delivery; The value of evidence; and Children and young people.  

We welcome applications from prospective students with an interest in impact-focused public policy research that engages with and extends our knowledge in these areas.