Postgraduate research (PhD)

Use academic insights to create just and sustainable digital futures for development.

We host more than twenty doctoral researchers studying various aspects of the connection between socio-economic development and digital systems/data.

Apply

You can apply for our PhD research programmes through either the Global Development Institute (GDI) or the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS):

Scholarship and funding

Details of PhD scholarships are available online:

Research focus

The Centre has a particular interest in candidates working in areas complementary to our focal research themes, especially:

  • artificial intelligence and development
  • data-intensive development
  • data justice
  • data science and development
  • digital economy
  • digital inequality
  • digital labour
  • digital platforms
  • digital startups
  • digital trade
  • digital transformation
  • e-agriculture
  • e-/m-health
  • e-resilience
  • gender implications of ICTs
  • ICT4D champions
  • ICTs and civil society organisations
  • ICT policy
  • industry 4.0
  • m-finance
  • political economy of digital development

Eligibility

We are looking for those with:

  • a high merit or distinction level masters degree from an internationally recognised university in an appropriate topic (eg information systems, management, or development, among others);
  • good English skills; and
  • a relevant topic for study backed by a proposal that demonstrates an ability to work with academic theory.