Quantitative & Computational Social Science - Research

Programme Overview
We offer a PhD programme in Quantitative and Computational Social Science (QCSS). The structured PhD programme includes (2) extensive training in cutting-edge research methods, (2) regular contact with a Research Studies Panel composed of academic staff with expertise related to the student’s interests, and (3) the writing of a doctoral thesis based on original research.

This programme is built around quantitative and computational social science methods and tools applied to substantive and methodological research questions in the social sciences. The programme brings together the perspectives and research methods of various disciplines such as Economics, Politics, Sociology and Statistics. The QCSS programme provides students with rigorous training in quantitative research and methods, including quantitative text analysis, machine learning, computer vision techniques, agent-based modelling, network analysis, and causal inference. Students will apply these methods in their PhD thesis to answer substantive research questions in Social Sciences.

Successful candidates are invited to join the Connected_Politics Lab, an interdisciplinary hub for researchers using computational methods to study politics and society, the UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy, and/or the (opens in a new window)UCD Behavioural Science and Policy group, a centre for research and collaboration on integrating behaviourally-informed ideas into public policy.

Students with a quantitative background in any area can undertake the programme. They will undertake various quantitative social science modules offered by the UCD School of Politics and International Relations, the School of Sociology, and the School of Economics. They may also choose modules that are relevant to their own research interest in other UCD Schools.

The PhD QCSS programme is a thematic, structured programme. Doctoral studies at UCD comprise two stages:

Stage 1 is a period when you define your research plan, develop your research skills and initiate original research work for your doctorate.
Stage 2 is primarily dedicated to continuing your original doctoral research but may also include some advanced education and training.
Some general information on UCD Structured PhDs is available here.

Programme Structure
As set out by the requirements of UCD Graduate Studies, QCSS students are required to complete a minimum of 35 credits of course works in Stage 1, followed by a programme of original research leading to the award of Doctoral degree by research. More information can be found at https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/researchstudenthub/researchprogrammes/keypointsonresearchprogrammes/phdinanutshell/.

Modules
Note: the modules listed here are for 2023-24. These may change for 2024-25.

All students must take the following module:
POL50220 Social Science Methodology (Core)

All students take at least one of the following three modules:
SOC40640 Social Simulation: Methods and Models
POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis
ECON50580 PhD Econometrics

In addition, all students take at least three modules, totalling to at least 15 credits. Students with a technical background (computer science, engineering, statistics) take these modules from relevant offerings in the social sciences, while students with a social science background (incl. business and law) take these modules from relevant offerings in computer science, mathematics, and/or statistics.

ACM40290 Numerical Algorithms
COMP40730 High Performance Computing
PLAN40220 Geographical Information Systems
POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists
SOC40640 Social Simulation: Methods and Models
STAT40400 Monte Carlo Inference
STAT40680 Stochastic Models
COMP47670 Data Science in Python
COMP40610 Information Visualisation
COMP41680 Data Science in Python
COMP47470 Big Data Programming
SOC40690 Demographic Analytics: T & A
SOC41030 Sciences, Technologies & Societies
STAT30270 Statistical Machine Learning
STAT40150 Multivariate Analysis
SOC41070 SocThinking in the Digital Age
SOC41130 AI and Society
SOC30380 Social Dynamics and Networks

The range of modules is subject to change.

The students may register for other modules depending on their research theme with permission from their Supervisor and the Module Coordinator.

The College of Social Sciences and Law schools also make a range of modules available to graduate research students outside their school each year. For a sample of such modules.

Please see https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/researchstudenthub/trainingdevelopment/taughtmodulesforresearchstudents/ for PhD module registration information.

A formal Stage Transfer Assessment (STA) takes place in order to progress from Stage 1 to Stage 2 of the PhD. The STA should be completed within 5 trimesters for a full-time student or 7 for a part-time student. Students must submit a body of written work to a review panel, who will conduct an interview on the work submitted, and must also complete a Research and Professional Development Planning (RPDP).

The PhD may take the form of a traditional thesis, or a collection of papers (including published papers or papers submitted or prepared for submission) describing a coherent programme of research that has been published or prepared for publication in peer-reviewed journals of international standing, accompanied by a critical and theoretical overview of the work presented in the papers.

UCD/TCD Collaboration
SPIRe collaborates with the Department of Political Science in Trinity College Dublin (TCD). We currently share modules on quantitative and qualitative research methods. In addition, TCD operates a Coding Camp for incoming students, as a preparatory course for Quants I. Students enrolling on the QCSS programme are welcome to attend this camp. It usually takes place prior to the start of term. Ask the PhD Administrator for more information.

For the structured PhD programme in Quantitative and Computational Social Science, applications are welcomed from applicants with a Master’s degree in data science, computer science, quantitative political science, economics, statistics, and other social science subjects. Applicants to our research degree programmes must have completed and earned a minimum of a 2.1 grade (GPA: 3.6) in a taught Masters (MA, MSc, MLitt, etc.) programme.

Application Procedure
Applications will be considered when the documentation below, including references, has been emailed to dara.gannon@ucd.ie

Application Form (fillable word doc) https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ucd.ie%2Fspire%2Ffilestore%2FUCD_PhD_QCSS_AppForm_Preliminary_2024.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK
Cover letter, stating reasons for interest in QCSS programme.
Research proposal (1,500-2,000 words maximum) which should include:
a statement of the research question;
a brief literature review that points to research gaps the PhD project could address;
an outline of theoretical approaches considered;
a brief discussion of the proposed methodology.
Copies of ALL Academic Transcripts (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)
CV or Resume (2 pages maximum)
Evidence of English language competence, where non-native English speaking applicants have NOT obtained previous university degrees from a university in an English-speaking country. Click on the link for further details on UCD English Language Requirements. The language proficiency certificate should be no more than 2 years old.
Two academic references: These should be sent directly by the referees to dara.gannon@ucd.ie with the applicant's name in the Subject field. Actual letters (on headed institutional paper) preferred. If sent by email, they must be from an institutional email address. The QCSS programme reserves the right to verify all references. Sending only the contact details of referees is not sufficient.
If you have had contact with a potential supervisor prior to application, please indicate this clearly in the application form and in the cover letter, including detail on the extent of engagement
This documentation should be emailed to Ms Dara Gannon (PhD Administrator) at (opens in a new window)dara.gannon@ucd.ie

The submission of original academic transcripts and other documentation will be required as a condition of the final award of a place on the programme.

How does the application process work?
Once all documents, including references, have been received, the application will undergo an initial evaluation by the review committee to assess that it satisfies the minimum requirements in terms of academic achievement and language skills
Once it has been confirmed that the applicant is, in principle, eligible to join the QCSS PhD programme, the application gets circulated among the relevant academic staff to determine if a potential supervisor is available and interested in taking on the applicant.
If someone is potentially interested in supervising / co-supervising, a Zoom/Skype call is usually arranged between the potential supervisor(s) and the applicant so that further questions on the project can be asked. The Programme Director will often sit in on the call to ask general questions and/or provide more information on the programme.
Following the call, if the potential supervisor(s) is willing to take on the applicant as a student, the registration process is initiated by the programme’s PhD administrator.
If an application is not deemed suitable, a letter will be sent to the applicant informing them of the decision. The programme does not provide individual feedback.
Please note that the application review process does not take place until after the the relevant application deadline. For Honohan Scholarship applicants the application deadline is 9th February 2024 and for 2025 IRC candidates the deadline is 8th September 2024.
There is a rolling deadline for other, externally-funded students.

Honohan Scholarship Applicants
The Honohan Doctoral Scholarship covers a full EU/non-EU fee remission, plus an annual stipend of €25,000. The deadline for applications is 9th February 2024.

IRC Applicants
The (opens in a new window)Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme, funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC) covers EU fees plus a stipend. The 2025 call will open in September 2024. The application process is highly competitive so collaboration with a local supervisor to develop the application is recommended. See this page for more information. If the IRC fee/stipend allowance does not match that of the school's Honohan scholarship, the school will provide a 'top up' payment.

Please note: If you wish to work with a SPIRe supervisor and use that supervisor's name on your IRC application, you must go through the school application process first, even if the SPIRe academic has indicated his/her willingness to work with you.

3-4 Years Full Time.

Entry to the programme is in September only.

When Can I Apply?
There are three application deadlines for the Quantitative and Computational Social Science programme:

1. Applicants to the Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship: 9th February 2024
2. IRC Government of Ireland Doctoral Scholarship 2025 applicants: 8th September 2024
3. All other funded applicants: a rolling deadline between 1st October 2023 and 31st July 2024 (for non-EU applicants the deadline is 30th June 2024)

Note: The Quantitative and Computational Social Science PhD programme only accepts students who have a Honohan Doctoral scholarship, an IRC scholarship or alternative external funding, to include a full fee remission and appropriate living expenses. Self-funded applicants are not eligible.

Career Support
Current and recently graduated, UCD Graduate Researchers (PhDs and Research Masters students), can book a 60 minute appointment with a dedicated Career & Skills Consultant to discuss:
- Individual Career Planning
- Academic and non-Academic Career Options
- Job Applications
- Interviews and Presentations