Reputation, Responsibility and Social Issues Management PhD Programme
- Benefit from a dynamic research environment and dedicated support
- Join postgraduate research students from all over the world
- Engage with executive leaders and the practitioner community
- Network with practitioners and academics at guest speaker talks and international conferences
What you need to know
Overview
The PhD in Reputation, Responsibility and Social Issues Management, based in the department of Leadership, Organisations, Behaviour and Reputation (LOBR) at Henley Business School (University of Reading), is designed to develop scholars capable of conducting original and impactful research in these interconnected fields. The programme encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, delving into various facets of reputation, responsibility and social issues management.
The programme emphasises formal research training, with PhD candidates undertaking a range of advanced modules and doctoral training in their first year to develop robust analytical and methodological skills. This foundation supports the pursuit of original research tailored to individual interests within the broad area of Reputation, Responsibility and Social Issues Management. The PhD journey includes a confirmation of registration in the second year, where researchers present and defend a fully developed research proposal in the form of a Research Progress Paper. The subsequent time is dedicated to completion of the research and writing of the thesis, culminating in a viva voce examination.
Researchers benefit from the expertise of the associated research centre within the department, the John Madejski Centre for Reputation. This centre provides a rich environment for scholarly engagement, offering access to cutting-edge research and opportunities to participate in international conferences that examine the latest developments in the field.
Throughout their studies, PhD candidates receive dedicated supervision from internationally renowned faculty, benefit from outstanding facilities and are part of a dynamic doctoral researcher community. The programme's comprehensive approach equips graduates with the critical thinking, intellectual capacity and creativity necessary for successful academic or professional careers in management, sociology, psychology, ethics, environmental studies and related fields.
"My decision to pursue doctoral study at Henley was driven by the quality of its academic engagement, particularly its emphasis on high-impact research, active publication, and close interaction with industry. The environment is distinguished by a supportive scholarly community valuing…"
Course structure
The module descriptions set out on this page are correct for modules being taught in the current academic year.
Optional module listings are indicative and may be subject to change.
| Year one | Confirmation of registration | Years two and three |
|---|---|---|
| You are expected to attend modules according to Henley Business School and University of Reading guidelines. These modules include research methods and other areas required for your area of concentration. | In your second year, you will present and defend your fully developed Research Progress Paper, consisting of a substantive document of around 8,000-10,000 words. | The remaining part of your PhD studies will be devoted to completing your thesis before your viva voce examination. The maximum amount of time you are allowed before the viva voce examination is four years of full-time study. |
Year one
During your first year of studies, you will be required to:
- Attend and obtain at least 60 credits from PhD/Masters level modules in research methods and other relevant areas (see below);
- Attend some short courses (2-3 hours each) required for the Reading Researcher Development Programme at the Doctoral and Researcher College (overseeing PhD studies within the University of Reading);
- Attend the Preparing to Teach training programme (which is necessary to be able to complete any teaching-related activities within Henley Business School);
- Participate in research seminars and activities organised by the department and others relevant to your area of interest;
- Hold regular meetings with your supervisor(s).
Required taught component
All LOBR first year students are expected to take the following modules:
And/or
If you are interested in the module description form containing the overall learning outcomes and description of the modules, please visit this link (click on the most recent academic year and then on Henley Business School; modules are listed by code in alphabetical order).
Advanced Qualitative Methods (MMD002)
20This module, delivered at the University of Reading, provides an overview of qualitative research design, methodologies, methods and analytic techniques. The two main themes are: a) the intellectual traditions underpinning qualitative research methodologies; b) research design, data collection and analytic issues associated with conducting qualitative research.
Pedagogy Seminar (MMD012)
20 [10 ECTS credits]Through taking this module, students should gain a greater insight into contextualising language learning, updating notions of pedagogical achievements and challenges in business learning and providing pedagogical information and tutorial plans on selected business topics.
Introduction to Thesis Literature Review (MMD001)
20 [10 ECTS credits]The module aims to provide students with an understanding of all the issues involved in researching, preparing and writing a literature review for their thesis, together with the specific techniques and resources involved.
Understanding Management and Financial Research (ICM116)
20This module aims to equip new PhD students with clear understanding of the necessary requirements for obtaining a PhD at the Henley Business School and at the ICMA centre.
This module examines the steps involved in carrying out a PhD at the Henley Business School and at the ICMA centre.
Modules or course content marked as optional are indicative and may be subject to change. Please note, constraints in timetable scheduling may mean you are unable to take some optional modules at the same time as others.
Confirmation of Registration Examination
Between 12-15 months from the start of your PhD, you will submit a substantive Research Progress Paper of approximately 8,000-10,000 words that will be defended in front of two faculty members who are not your supervisors. If the examination is successful, it will grant you the status of PhD candidate.
Years two and three of study details
During your second and third years, PhD students are expected to:
- Continue to work on your PhD thesis;
- Hold regular meetings with your supervisor(s);
- Attend some short courses (2-3 hours each) required for the Reading Researcher Development Programme at the Doctoral and Researcher College;
- Participate in research seminars and activities organised by the department and others relevant to your area of interest
- Contribute to departmental teaching/research activities and events;
- Present posters/papers at national/international conferences.
Fees & funding
For fees, please visit the Doctoral and Researcher College website.
Overseas applicants should refer to the non-laboratory based fees listed in the tables (International Band 1 for non UK/Home students).
Up to three postgraduate studentships, each covering full course fees and a stipend, are available for outstanding applicants wanting to conduct full-time postgraduate research in the research areas relevant to this programme.
These awards are offered on an annual basis and are renewable at the end of each year, subject to satisfactory performance, for up to three years. In particular, we are looking for PhD candidates with excellent potential in the areas of leadership dynamics, organisational behaviour, business ethics, human resource management, governance, management learning and development, coaching, knowledge management, careers and employability and social and organisational studies. Students with an interest in these thematic areas within our research centres are invited to apply.
There are two additional studentship opportunities offered by Henley Business School, which all PhD applicants studying full-time are eligible for. The application process is handled by the department of Leadership, Organisations, Behaviour and Reputation's Postgraduate Research Director, who will nominate the best applicants for review by the Henley Business School Scholarship Panel.
- Wilkie Calvert Scheme: This funding is available for PhD applicants that are undertaking research on a part-time basis, with their research being of strategic importance to their employer. For further information, please visit the Doctoral and Researcher College website.
- International PhD studentships: This funding is available for PhD applicants from outside the UK. For further information, please visit the Doctoral and Researcher College website.
- Regional PhD bursaries: This funding is available for PhD applicants that are residents of Reading and the surrounding area. The scheme is not open to students who have already started their study at the University of Reading. For further information, please visit the Doctoral and Researcher College website.
- Graduate: If you have already studied at the University of Reading or Henley Business School, you will be eligible for the alumni fee discount.
- South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc): This funding is available for PhD applicants with a focus on research in the areas of living sustainably healthy, thriving communities, inclusive economic growth, secure, effective and trusted institutions and transformative technologies for society and is offered by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). For further information, please visit the Doctoral and Researcher College website.
- China Scholarship Council: This funding is available for Chinese applicants that are permanent residents in China at the time of applying. For further information, please visit the Doctoral and Researcher College website.
- Other: For information on further opportunities, please see the find funding section on the University website and the additional options outlined on the Doctoral and Researcher College website.
Important information for applicants for studentships
We offer PhD scholarships covering fees and stipend for up to three years, awarded on the basis of outstanding academic merit to the applicants with the highest quality research proposals.
Applicants for studentships are expected to have obtained or be expecting to obtain a Distinction in their Masters degree and in their Masters thesis. MBAs are not considered. Applications for studentships are very competitive and students are further assessed on their ability to speak and communicate in English. Studentship holders may be instructed to engage in teaching assistant duties (up to seven hours per week) from their second year in the programme.
Applicants that are considered for the studentship will need to go through an interview with the Scholarship Panel within the department of Leadership, Organisations, Behaviour and Reputation.
Studentship applications for the 2026/27 academic year are now closed. Studentship applications for the 2027/28 academic year are now open and will close on 1 March 2027. Please note that scholarships are available exclusively to applicants who have received an offer to study for a PhD at Henley Business School. We strongly advise submitting your application no later than 10 January 2027 to allow sufficient time to complete the application interview process prior the scholarship application.
For further information on studentship requirements, please contact the Postgraduate Research Administrator for Leadership, Organisations, Behaviour and Reputation.
Current scholarships
Entry requirements
Applications for the 2025/26 academic year are closed. Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are open and due to close on 30 June 2026.
- Top grades in your Masters degree (minimum requirement is Merit or equivalent, but we prefer Distinction)
- Top grade in your Masters Dissertation (or equivalent research-based piece of work) because this may show your research attitude and skills
- A well-developed research proposal of 2,000-3,000 words where you identify the motivation of your study, place it within relevant academic literature highlighting the current research gap and research questions, state your intended methodology and show understanding of data analysis necessary to accomplish your study (which will also reveal the feasibility of your study). Please see a detailed guide on how to write a PhD Research Proposal here;
- A reasonable intended timeline, reflecting issues you may encounter in the study as presented above (for example, if you have to collect primary data, the time spent on data collection will be much longer than the one you would spend if you intend to use secondary data sources)
- English requirements for applicants whose first language is not English, with the expectation of obtaining either an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 (with no element below 6.0), a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) online test score of 100 (and no less than 20 in Listening, Writing and Reading and no less than 21 in Speaking), or a Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP) at the University of Reading with a score of 7.0 (with no element less than 6.0). For all other equivalent score requirements in our accepted English Language tests, please visit the University website.
The process for applying does not follow a linear path that is identical for every student, but the basic steps are as follows:
- Write a research proposal outlining the topic you wish to research. We strongly recommend that you read our guide on writing a research proposal.
- Choose an academic member of staff, listed under PhD Supervisors, that has a similar area of research to your research proposal's focus. You may want to reach out to potential supervisors before submitting your application.
- If the academic in question is interested, they will get back in touch with you. It is likely that they will have some questions or suggestions for improving your research proposal. Please note that if you do not receive a response, you must not send your research proposal to all other academics.
- Please note that you can apply before identifying a potential supervisor, but until you have the support of an academic you will not be able to proceed to the interview stage of the application.
- Apply by clicking the 'Apply Now' button at the top of this page. Please note that we only accept PhD students starting their studies in September at the start of semester one.
- A shortlisting decision will be made, based on the documents you uploaded in your application.
- If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to a formal interview to assess your suitability to pursue a PhD at Henley Business School.
Please note that all PhD candidates are expected study full-time. It is only in exceptional circumstances that we offer part-time or distance learning PhDs. For part-time or distance options, please instead consider the Henley Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme. For this reason, we also do not currently offer an option for January entry.
Careers, accreditation & progression
How can Henley Careers work with you?
We have an award-winning careers team here to support you through your time at Henley and four years after graduating.
Henley Careers and Professional Development run numerous events throughout semester one and semester two in order to help you gain industry experience. These events are aimed to enhance your professional development and network with employers. We also offer one-to-one career coaching appointments where you can talk to a Careers Consultant about your professional development. This may include planning your ideal career journey or building confidence in a particular area. It could also involve practicing for interviews or having your CV checked.
Continuing your career
A PhD in the area of Reputation, Responsibility and Social Issues Management can open doors to a successful career in academia and other organisations. This includes large multinationals, leading consulting firms, governmental advisory roles and non-governmental organisations worldwide.
What our students have gone on to do
Our PhD graduates have gone on to take up academic positions at institutions such as Henley Business School, the University of Nottingham and the University of Central London in the UK and Kuwait University, the Australian National University and Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University worldwide.
"The PhD programme at LOBR offers a transformative interdisciplinary experience. I am acquiring diverse, high-level expertise that integrates interesting complex global topics. Supported by a community of distinguished researchers and mentors, I am deeply inspired and committed to bringing meaningful…"
Research areas
Henley Business School's research in the areas of Reputation, Responsibility and Social Issues Management is driven through the John Madejski Centre for Reputation. Many of our research centres have active membership from a wide range of international leading companies providing plenty of opportunity to engage with executive leaders and the practitioner community.
We welcome applicants seeking to conduct full-time postgraduate research in the following fields:
