About us

We are the only dedicated Department of Political Economy in the UK, with a large faculty of over 70 staff who research and teach at the intersections of politics, economics and philosophy. Our large PhD community is highly diverse and we particularly welcome PhD researchers interested in undertaking doctoral research in our unique interdisciplinary environment; in this case, in the context of a project on the regulation of parliamentary expenditure, with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) serving as the partner organisation.

About the role

About the PhD project: This project will start on 1 October 2025 in the Department of Political Economy at King’s College London, in collaboration with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA). The academic supervisory team consists of Christel Koop (Professor of Political Economy) and Andrew Blick (Professor of Politics and Contemporary History), with Lee Bridges (Director, Policy & Engagement at IPSA) serving as the supervisor at the partner organisation.

This is a full-time, 3.5-year funded PhD project (“+3.5 PhD”), in collaboration with IPSA, and involving a 3-month placement at IPSA (with the time at IPSA being spread over the PhD period). The project and +3.5 scholarship will run from 1 October 2025 till 31 March 2029.

Please note that whilst the PhD position involves extensive individual research, this is accompanied by structure, methodological training, extensive support, and flexibility in terms of hours and workspace.

Project summary:

The parliamentary expenses scandal of 2009 brought representative democracy in the United Kingdom (UK) into disrepute, causing lasting damage to public perceptions of politicians and the system as a whole. Sustained and sometimes serious abuses of expenditure rules came to light. Rather than being an isolated occurrence, this experience pointed to potential weaknesses in democracy in the UK and internationally. One of the outcomes of the 2009 episode was the formation of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), which is responsible for the salaries of Members of Parliament (MPs) and for regulating their business expenditure. IPSA is the partner on this project, the purpose of which is to provide greater understanding of the regulation of parliamentary expenditure in the UK and other Westminster systems, and to engage in broad dissemination of the findings and their policy implications.

Evidence suggests declining confidence in the system of representative democracy, in the UK and beyond. This trend is of deep concern from the perspective of the continued viability of democratic systems. If the public are to perceive democracy in a positive sense, it is important that they believe those who represent them have the capacity to deliver for them, and have integrity. For these reasons, elected representatives – including MPs in the UK – receive public resources, which are in turn subject to regulation. A portion of the support MPs receive comes within the category of salaries and expenditure. Providing MPs with a personal income and the resources necessary to perform their role is democratically essential, since it means that people can serve as MPs without needing to rely on personal wealth. It also means that they are able to serve their local constituency; for instance, holding meetings, handling casework, and raising issues in Parliament.

Whilst salaries are at a fixed rate for all MPs, expenditure is variable according to the particular needs associated with a given constituency; for example, how far it is from London. MPs therefore need discretion in their spending decisions. They operate according to a general set of principles, but those principles cannot foresee all possible circumstances, and the expenditure system consequently relies upon MPs’ good judgement and proper behaviour. There is an abiding risk of expenditures taking place which either accidently or deliberately violate the rules. When such transgressions occur, there is a considerable likelihood of public condemnation, as occurred in 2009.

This project seeks to map and understand the design and principles involved in the regulation of MPs’ expenditure, and their answers to the trade-offs involved; for instance, between flexibility and safeguarding against abuse. It considers how the current regulatory system for UK MPs’ expenses came about, and when and why the key decisions were made. It then takes an international perspective, looking at selected comparator states and the regulatory regimes they have arrived at. Based on the findings, the project will reflect on the implications for effective regulation of parliamentary expenditure, which will be of use to IPSA and its counterparts in other countries.

Funding note:

Note for non-UK applicants: The ESRC permits the funding of international students in the 2025 cohort (up to a total of 30% of the cohort can be international students). The LISS DTP will award up to 6 International CASE Studentship Awards (30% of our total CASE Studentships for 2025 Entry).

How to apply:

Please note that on Wednesday 19 February, from 2-3pm GMT, we will hold an online briefing to elaborate on the position and recruitment process, and to take questions from those who are considering or planning to apply for the position. Please contact us directly to receive an invite to the online briefing ( christel.koop@kcl.ac.uk). Should you have any immediate questions, please feel free to contact us via e-mail ( christel.koop@kcl.ac.uk and  andrew.blick@kcl.ac.uk).

Interested candidates should apply by e-mailing the following documents to Anthony Senior ( anthony.senior@kcl.ac.uk):

1. An up-to-date CV
2. A personal statement including why you are interested in undertaking the project, what relevant skills, training and knowledge you would bring to the project; and any ideas you have for executing the named project (max 1 page)
3. A completed application form for the position available – attached below and entitled, ESRC LISS DTP CASE Studentships 2025 Application Form (note: an additional application to the KCL Doctoral Programme will be required for shortlisted candidates)
4. Academic transcripts
5. Contact details for 2 referees, at least one of which should be a recent academic referee
6. Complete the Diversity Monitoring Form at https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/kings/liss-dtp-diversity-monitoring-for-case-candidates-2025-entry (this does not need to be sent as part of your application documents).

Key dates and further information: The deadline for applications is Wednesday 26 February 2025 (23:59). Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to arrange interviews, which are planned to take place in mid-March 2025.

Further information:

We strongly encourage applicants from under-represented backgrounds to apply. Whilst a postgraduate degree in a related field is essential, our conception of relevant skills and (extracurricular) experience is broad, including work experience of all kinds.

About you

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Conducting independent research towards a doctoral degree
• Writing up a PhD thesis
• Acquiring new skills required as part of the project
• Being actively involved in academic and professional development
• Seeking and accepting in good faith feedback from the academic supervisors and the supervisor at the partner organisation
• Publishing results in the appropriate outlets
• Meeting the university standards for doctoral research, as well as the scholarly and professional standards required by their discipline

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. A good master’s degree (merit or above) in a field such as politics or public policy (candidate who will receive their degree in summer 2025 will be considered)
2. Core methods training as stipulated by the ESRC for entry to +3.5 PhD positions (see here)
3. Knowledge of and/or a strong interest in (the regulation of) parliaments and parliamentary standards
4. An interest in working at the boundaries of politics, history, and public policy
5. Excellent communication skills and an ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team and regulatory organisation

Desirable criteria

1. Training in (comparative) historical-institutionalist case study research 

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

Interviews are due to be held in mid-March.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK 

Job ID: 105309
Close Date: 26-Feb-2025
Contact Person: Christel Koop
Contact Details: christel.koop@kcl.ac.uk