Project details
Obesity and related non-communicable disease (NCD) rates remain high in the UK, with the highest prevalence among people of African and Caribbean origin. Health-related behaviours such as physical activity and diet are key risk factors for these diseases. Existing policies and interventions promoting good health behaviours have not effectively addressed the needs of African and Caribbean populations who often face additional barriers as they tend to reside on more economically disadvantaged areas. New approaches are therefore required to improve the health of this population.
This project aims to explore a promising novel approach to promoting healthier behaviours among the Black African and Caribbean populations in the UK. Existing evidence indicates that some individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, termed positive deviants (PD), do engage in healthy behaviours. PD are therefore those who have successful health outcomes despite facing the same challenges as their peers. There is a growing interest in learning from PD to foster community empowerment and to inform more impactful interventions and policies.
This PhD studentship aims to explore mechanisms underlying positive deviance among people of African and Caribbean origin in the UK using innovative mixed methods i.e. through quantitative analysis of large existing datasets and qualitative community based participatory research approaches.
The successful candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers from diverse ethnic communities using approaches for those who are often hard to reach to engage in research.
Loughborough University is ranked number one in the world for sport-related subjects (QS World University Rankings). The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences offers an exciting, interdisciplinary research environment, where research students work alongside expert staff with a diverse range of interests and experience. By studying for a PhD with us, you will be joining a thriving research community of over 300 Doctoral Researchers from across the globe. You will add to world-leading research that is helping to shape the latest advancements across public health sectors. Through our Doctoral College there are continual opportunities for building important research skills and networks among your peers, research academics and non-academic partners.
The research training provided will be tailored to the applicant’s needs and the doctoral researcher will also benefit from support from others. For instance, through engagement with the Lifestyle for health and wellbeing group. https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/research-innovation/lifestyle-for-health-and-wellbeing/ and the Centre for Lifestyle Medicine and Behaviour- CLIMB .
The supervisory team for this project bring a wealth of expertise to support the research. Both supervisors have a strong track record in health inequality research. Dr Osei-Kwasi is a public health nutrition academic with specialist research interests in lifestyle behaviours and behaviour change interventions for people of African and Caribbean origin. She has expertise in qualitative research methodologies, systematic reviews, and co-production with African and Caribbean communities. Rebecca Hardy is Professor of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, and she has been at the forefront of developments in life course epidemiology for over 25 years. Her research takes a life course approach to study health and ageing, with the aim of identifying potential points of intervention across life to maximise the chances of living a healthier, independent life for longer. Rebecca uses data from longitudinal population studies and has expertise in quantitative methods.
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the drop-down below.
Entry requirements for United Kingdom
Applicants should have achieved at least a 2:1 in their undergraduate degree in a public health, nutrition or dietetics, health science, or social science background, with relevant experience and or with a UK master’s degree (with average programme mark of no less than 65%) or international equivalent.
English language requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.
The studentship is for 3 years full time and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK rate. Due to funding restrictions, the studentship is only open to UK students who identify as being from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background.
How to apply
All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. Please quote the advertised reference number: SSEHS/HOK24 in your application.
To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents.
The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application.
