Opportunities for Masters students to do dissertation research with major retailers

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is bringing research into the retail sector by offering opportunities for academics and students to partner with major companies.

These companies such as Boots, British Gas, Camelot Co-operative, E.ON Energy Solutions, and Experian will work with research projects that are important to the retail industry.

The Retail Research Masters scheme is now in its third year, and has proved to be a great way for both students and their supervisors to build links with major retail companies. The scheme provides the opportunity to work directly with an industrial partner and to link your research to important retail and 'open data' sources.

The scheme is designed for students in a wide range of disciplines and projects will take place over spring/summer 2014. In addition, students will be eligible to enter a prize competition for the best dissertations submitted.

Taking part in this scheme offers Masters students:

·         a stimulating project to work on over the coming months

·         advice and support from the retail industry Demographics User Group - which represents 16 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

·         a chance of winning one of three prizes (£500, £250 and £250), 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 8 October 2014

·         the possibility of additional sponsorship or research expenses from the retail partner to the project

There are currently 14 project proposals for students to consider. Retailers will be proposing additional projects, and students' applications will be welcomed, through March 2014.

See the links below for further information about the scheme, a list of available projects, and guidance on how to apply.

See below for further information about the scheme

About the scheme