Retail research Masters dissertation opportunities

This exciting new programme, offered by the Retail Data Navigator team, aims to link students and their university supervisors with leading retail companies. Retail research is interdisciplinary, and this scheme is designed for students in a wide range of disciplines - including, but not limited to, Geography, Business Studies, Management, Planning, Computer Science and Psychology.

Taking part in this internships scheme offers you:

  • a stimulating project to work on over the coming months
  • advice and support from the retail industry Demographics User Group - which represents 15 of the UK’s top retailers and works closely with universities and government
  • industry advice on how data are used in real world problem solving, and experience of addressing problems that matter
  • if you are currently on a Master’s programme funded through an ESRC 1+3 studentship at an ESRC Doctoral Training Centre (ESRC accredited DTCs), a £500 bursary on completion of the project
  • if you are not an ESRC student you are still eligible to apply but will not be able to receive the £500 bursary. You will, however have a chance of winning one of three prizes (£500, £250 and £250) which will be awarded to the best three dissertations
  • an expenses-paid opportunity to showcase your research findings to an audience of leading retailers, at a conference to be held at the Royal Society on 10 October 2012 
  • the possibility of additional sponsorship or research expenses from the retail partner to the project. 

Benefits include:

  • you and your academic supervisor are provided with a unique opportunity to work with an industrial partner  
  • linking your research to important retail and ‘open data’ sources
  • enhancing your CV with practical experience
  • improving your chances of subsequently being offered a job by a retail company.

The final deadline for applications to projects has now passed.

If you have any queries on this opportunity please contact:

Please note that this scheme is separate from the ESRC internships scheme, which offers placement opportunities for ESRC PhD students across the social sciences.