Dr Phil Sayer
Expertise
Social and Public Policy lecturer with a focus on quantitative research methods and philosophy of social science. Primary research interests in the epistemological basis of evidence-based policy discourse and practice.
Current positions
Lecturer
School for Policy Studies
Contact
Press and media
Many of our academics speak to the media as experts in their field of research. If you are a journalist, please contact the University’s Media and PR Team:
Biography
Since completing the PhD in 2017 I have worked as a lecturer with a quantitative research methods specialism initially in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies and now in the School for Policy Studies. I also teach Advanced Quantitative Methods on the PhD training units across a number of schools in the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Law. Since 2022, I have held the role of Senior Tutor with responsibility for managing personal tutoring processes and supporting student welfare within the school.
Research interests
Social and Public Policy lecturer with a focus on quantitative research methods and philosophy of social science. Primary research interests in the epistemological basis of evidence-based policy discourse and practice - which forms of evidence are prioritised by which mechanisms and how is or can this be justified?
Teaching
My driving goal in recent years has been in enhancing the options for social science graduates to develop valuable and much-needed skills in quantitative data analysis. I have extensive cross-disciplinary experience of curriculum design and teaching delivery in the areas of quantitative research methods, philosophy of social science and social theory. In recent years I have developed or extensively redesigned the following solo-taught units:
Advanced Quantitative Methods - Cross-disciplinary PhD training unit in Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Law
Quantitative Data Analysis for Policy Research - Third year undergraduate unit teaching data analysis skills for Social Policy, Criminology, Childhood Studies and International Social and Public Policy students
Quantitative Research Methods: Design and Analysis - Masters level unit providing an accessible but rigorous introduction to quantitative research design and data analysis.
I have also convened the following units: MSc Public Policy Dissertation (PGT 2020-2023) Social Research Methods (UG, since 2020), Further Quantitative Methods (PGT 2021-2022), Public Opinion and Democracy (UG 2018-2020), Principles of Quantitative Social Science (UG 2018-2020), Advanced Quantitative Research (UG 2019-2020), Social Networks (2017-2018), Introduction to Quantitative Social Research (2018-2020)
I regularly contribute lectures for Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences (PGT) and for many years was a seminar tutor on Key Social Thinkers (UG Sociology) and Critical Skills for Social Scientists (UG Policy Studies).
Since 2022 I have been a member of the School Education Committee, holding the role of Senior Tutor. Primary responsibilities include developing and managing the personal tutoring system, and working with Professional Services and Wellbeing colleagues to support student welfare.