Psychology of Unethical Decisions and Public Trust (Fixed Term)

An ESRC-funded PhD studentship through CAM-DTP supports 3.5 - 4.5 years of full-time study. We particularly encourage applications from students wishing to study on a part-time basis (minimum 50% of full-time).

The studentship provides:

• Tuition fees up to the value of the national UKRI rate for Home fees;
• An annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£21,805 in 2026-27 for full time students);
• Financial support for research training up to £900 available from the Department;
• A personalised training programme, to develop research, communication, employability and personal skills;
• Support to carry out a required three-month placement, known as an Innovation Fellowship, with an academic or non-academic partner during the course of the studentship.

Successful candidates will be required to submit their PhD within the duration of the studentship award.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The Cambridge ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership [CAM-DTP] is pleased to offer an knowledge exchange studentship available for admission in October 2027.

The studentship will be co-supervised by Dr Jon Roozenbeek (Department of Psychology), Dr Lee de Wit (Department of Psychology) and Moira Nicolson (UK Cabinet Office)

This studentship is part of the CAM-DTP's supervisor-led topics, and we note that the successful candidate for this position is not guaranteed to receive the studentship. Rather, it is part of a DTP-wide competition, with limited studentships being available.

Project description: Unethical decision-making is as a major societal problem. For instance, the Grenfell and Hillsborough disasters in the UK were preceded by a chain of decision failures. While there is some literature on how and why people make unethical decisions, why people tolerate or even reward those who do is understudied. This cross-cultural project will explore the psychology of unethical decision-making: what drives it, and how the public perceives it, and its connection to trust in public and private institutions.

ESRC Research Priority Areas: Security, risk and resilience, Understanding behaviour. Research skills you must have if applying for this topic:

Studentships will start on 1 October each year for both full-time and part-time applicants.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 September 2031 in the first instance.