Keep Counselling Confidential

Viewers may find the content of this video distressing. Sources of help and support are available to explore here: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help

ESRC-funded DPhil student Ellie Whittingdale has helped to deliver a significant law change in England through her placement with Rape Crisis England and Wales.

Using research skills gained throughout her DPhil project with sexual violence support services, Ellie collaborated closely with the policy team at the national charity Rape Crisis England & Wales. Ellie’s research played a crucial role in the organisation’s Keep Counselling Confidential campaign, which has led to a law change that will help to improve the experience of the criminal justice system for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. The placement has also led to a new research partnership between the charity and the University of Oxford. 

Learn more about hosting a student in your organisation

Our 'Grand Union' is a Doctoral Training Partnership between Brunel University London, The Open University and the University of Oxford. Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), we are one of 15 ESRC Doctoral Training Partnerships across the UK, providing our postgraduate students with high-quality social science research training.

The ESRC has provided the GUDTP with funding to support placements undertaken by GUDTP-funded doctoral students. Each student can undertake a funded placement with an external organisation for up to 3 months, which provides a cost effective way of businesses accessing support for a specific project or specific skillset from the student. During this period their doctoral studies are paused to enable them to focus on the placement. There is flexibility for this to be full or part-time and on the duration of the placement. Please get in touch if you think having one of our excellent doctoral students placed with your business could be of benefit.