Socioeconomic status found to impact social integration and access to training and development opportunities among PhD researchers
New research into the experiences of PhD researchers, by Martingale Foundation, has found that socioeconomic status continues to impact STEM PhD students throughout their studies.
The new report, Socioeconomic Status and the Doctoral Experience, sheds light on the impact of being from a low-socioeconomic (low-SES) background on all aspects of the PhD experience and across different PhD programme types. It found that those from low-SES backgrounds were consistently less likely to engage in networking and development opportunities, social events and conferences compared to their peers.
Many participants cited that being from a low-SES background was a factor that hindered integration with peers and the broader research environment, highlighting a feeling of ‘not belonging’ as a barrier to participating in opportunities such as networking events. One research participant commented that: ‘Confidence, impostor syndrome and class discrimination’ prevented them from engaging in networking opportunities.
Martingale’s mission is to enable more talented students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to access and thrive within postgraduate research. Whilst there has been some progress across the sector in recent years, there has been relatively little research into the experiences of PhD researchers from these backgrounds, once they are there. To start to address this knowledge gap, Martingale undertook research which included focus groups and a survey, exploring and comparing factors such as the support offered through different types of PhD programmes and the opportunities students had access to during their studies.
The findings suggest that the prevailing research culture needs to become more progressive and acknowledge the economic reality for students today. Participants painted a picture of a research culture that still rigidly demands students to show they are wholly devoted to their studies and that research must consume their every day. Some participants felt that part-time work was ‘frowned-upon’ despite, being a necessity to make ends meet, leaving them unable to discuss their need to work part-time with their supervisors.
Lead researcher Sophie Bird, Programme Coordinator at Martingale Foundation, commented: “We know from our work at Martingale supporting PhD students from low-SES backgrounds, that accessing the world of postgraduate study is just the first hurdle. Undertaking a PhD should be a positive experience but our research sheds light on the extent that socioeconomic status can continue to present challenges. It was startling to find that financial background had such an impact on students’ ability to integrate with their peers, impacted the development opportunities they can access and that the need to work part-time was often viewed negatively. At Martingale we ensure all Martingale Scholars can access development and training opportunities and I would like to see similar tailored support offered to more postgraduate students from low-SES backgrounds across the country.”
Cassandra Hugill, Martingale Foundation Chief Executive, commented: “It is clear that both the financial background of PhD students and the research culture in which they’re operating in, have a significant impact on a students’ ability to succeed. With reports of some PhD programmes struggling to recruit domestic talent, it’s important that the sector is focused on ensuring that undertaking a PhD is a rewarding experience that enables a student to thrive and reach their potential and not simply hope to survive until the end. I hope our research acts as a catalyst for further research into PhD student experiences – it is only by improving our understanding across the sector that more support and solutions can be found.”
Further recommendations in the report include:
- As the Russell Group highlighted in their recent briefing paper: ‘Extending opportunity: Widening access to postgraduate research’, better data collection across the sector is key. Higher education institutions (HEIs) should collect more, and higher quality, data about the socioeconomic background of postgraduate researchers and PhD outcomes to inform support, with direction from higher education policymakers.
- HEIs and supervisors should consider further support for prospective PhD students to find the best PhD programme type for them to succeed, before they start – a model like the Martingale PhD Navigator Programme.
- Institutions and funders should think about what steps they could take to ensure equitable access to development opportunities.
- Policymakers, working with HEIs, should consider creating guidance around consistent rights and conditions across institutions and funders.
- HEIs should strengthen complaints procedures, improve how PhD students’ rights are communicated and introduce consistent limits on PhD working hours.
- Programme leaders, supervisors and institutions should consider how they can better aid the professional and personal development of students to ensure they are equipped with the skills they’ll need beyond their PhD, recognising that many PhD students will pursue careers beyond academic research.
Martingale Foundation works with thirteen partner universities across the country to provide postgraduate scholarship opportunities to talented STEM students from low-SES backgrounds. All Martingale Scholars have access to the Martingale Development Programme, which combines key skills development, engagement opportunities and access to a network of leading figures across academia and industry, to support scholars to become future STEM leaders.
Read the report
Notes to editors:
About the research: The research was carried out by conducting four focus groups, three with PhD students, each focusing on a different category of PhD programme, and a final focus group with PhD programme leaders, senior HEI leaders, and experienced supervisors. A small number of interviews were conducted alongside the focus groups. Focus groups and interviews were followed by a survey with PhD students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Focus groups and interviews took place from May – June 2025. Responses were collected between June – August 2025. The survey enabled quantitative and further qualitative analysis to feed into the themes identified in the focus groups and interviews. Questions broadly fell under four categories: project characteristics, supervisors, socioeconomic background and wider research culture.
For further details please contact the Martingale Communications Manager: [email protected].