Are you passionate about food policy and want to pursue a higher degree in this field? If so, you might be interested in applying for a MPhil/PhD in Food Policy at City, University of London.
This program will allow you to conduct original and impactful research on various aspects of food policy, such as food security, nutrition, sustainability, governance, and justice. You will also benefit from the expertise and guidance of the Centre for Food Policy, a leading research centre that aims to shape a healthier and more equitable food system for all.
However, applying for a MPhil/PhD in Food Policy is not an easy task. It requires a lot of preparation, dedication, and commitment. You will need to submit a research proposal that demonstrates your suitability and readiness for the program, as well as your potential contribution to the field.
On this page, I will give you some tips on how to write a strong and convincing research proposal that will increase your chances of getting accepted.
Things to include in your research proposal document
Your research proposal document is a crucial part of your application. It should be clear, concise, and coherent, and show that you have a well-defined and feasible research project that aligns with the aims and themes of the Centre for Food Policy.
Here are some things that I suggest that you include in your research proposal document (which will make the first draft longer than 3 pages - which is fine for a first draft):
A timeline with milestones
This should include a 2 month, 6 month and 12 month review, and an “upgrade” at 12-18 months. (Note that in the first year you will need to perform a critical analysis of the literature in your field of study). A timeline will help you plan and organize your research activities, as well as demonstrate your ability to manage your time and resources effectively.
An outline of the methods you will use, the problem and possible research questions
Methods
Be specific, as this helps us understand the supervisors we can match you to. Please provide details of the sample size, methods of sample selection, and method of analysis and statistical tests you would use. Your methods should be appropriate and rigorous for your research questions and objectives, and reflect your understanding of the relevant research methodologies and techniques.
The problem and research question
This should include references to the theoretical concepts and methods you will be using in your research. Your problem statement should identify a gap or a need in the existing literature or practice, and justify why your research is important and relevant. Your research questions should be clear, specific, and answerable, and guide your research design and analysis.
Objectives of the research
These should be derived from your research questions, and state what you aim to achieve or accomplish with your research. Your objectives should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Anticipated barriers to the research, and how you will overcome and mitigate these at this stage
These could be ethical, practical, or theoretical challenges that you might encounter during your research, and how you plan to address or prevent them. For example, you might need to obtain ethical approval, access to data, or permission from stakeholders. You should also consider the potential limitations and weaknesses of your research, and how you will acknowledge and minimize them.
A specific explanation as to WHY you are choosing the Centre for Food Policy, and how your research fits with the wider aims and themes
These should be derived from your research questions, and state what you aim to achieve or accomplish with your research. Your objectives should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
What have you done previously and how does this support you in doing a PhD? Who would you be interested to work with?
This could include your academic background, professional experience, publications, awards, or other achievements that are relevant to your research topic and field. You should highlight your skills, knowledge, and competencies that will enable you to conduct high-quality and independent research, and how they relate to your research objectives and methods.
A list of other academics or practitioners who you would be interested to get advice from?
We can have co-supervisors from outside of City, University of London if you want to identify anyone. This could include researchers or experts who have similar or complementary research interests or expertise to yours, and who could provide you with valuable feedback, guidance, or collaboration. You should explain why you would like to get advice from them, and how they could enhance your research quality and impact.
A training needs analysis (e.g. what skills do you not have yet, but need to gain over your PhD)
Visit the Vitae website for more information. This should identify the areas or aspects that you need to improve or develop further in order to successfully complete your PhD, such as research skills, transferable skills, or personal attributes. You should also specify how you plan to acquire or enhance these skills, such as through formal training, mentoring, or self-learning. Note that as part of your PhD we may be able offer you the chance to audit modules on methods: HRM001, as well as food policy modules (FPM001) to give you a grounding in Food Policy analysis as part of the PhD.
Your vision for what you will be doing 6 years after your PhD
This should describe your career aspirations and goals, and how your PhD will help you achieve them. You should also consider the potential impact and dissemination of your research, and how you will communicate and engage with your target audience and stakeholders, such as policy makers, practitioners, or the public.
A strong reference list that is made use of in the proposal to show you understand the field you are going into
This should include the most relevant and up-to-date sources that support your research problem, questions, objectives, and methods. You should use a consistent and appropriate citation style, such as APA, MLA, or Harvard. You should also critically evaluate and synthesize the sources, and avoid plagiarism and academic misconduct.
Final tips and reminders
I hope this article has given you some useful guidance on how to write a research proposal document for a MPhil/PhD in Food Policy at City, University of London. Here are some final tips and reminders before you submit your application:
- I stress that this is a very competitive process. So please do put your best application in. Competition for PhD scholarships for City, University of London is very high; and the PhD process is a VERY INTENSE 4 years, this will require your full focus.
- In the short term, I would also suggest that you undertake this highly relevant and freely accessible course in systematic review methods (a requisite part of higher level study) developed and provided by Johns Hopkins University - this will help you with your application.
- There are only a small number of staff at the Centre for Food Policy who can be the primary supervisor for a PhD, the majority of us are currently near maximum supervision capacity. Due to this we are asking explicitly for how your proposal fits with the researchers own research as well as how your research fits with the wider aims and themes of the Centre. Visit the Research Centre site for more information.
- Make sure you follow the application guidelines and requirements, and submit your application before the deadline. You can find more details on our course pages.
- Proofread and edit your research proposal document carefully, and ask for feedback from others if possible. Your research proposal document should be free of grammatical, spelling, or formatting errors, and reflect your professionalism and enthusiasm for the program.
This article was written by Dr Christian Reynolds, Reader in Food Policy at the Centre for Food Policy, at City, University of London.
