Funded PhD Social/Medical Anthropology with a focus on Global Public Health

The Project
The Department of Public Health and Policy at The University of Liverpool welcomes applications for a fully funded PhD studentship in Social/Medical Anthropology (Global Public Health) focusing on Household Air Pollution in an African context. Household Air Pollution (HAP), owing to the use of solid fuel such as firewood and charcoal burnt in rudimentary stoves, is a critical global public health priority, particularly for low and middle-income countries. The promotion, take-up and use of clean fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are identified strategies to reduce the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) from HAP. The PhD is situated within the UK National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) CLEAN-Air(Africa) Global Health Research Group based at the University of Liverpool. CLEAN-Air(Africa) is a consortium of researchers from the United Kingdom (UoL) and Africa: Ghana – Kintampo Health Research Centre and the University of Ghana, Kenya – Moi University, and Cameroon – Doula General Hospital.

The PhD studentship will focus on the Kenyan setting (West Kenya), to produce detailed ethnographic description of the social conditions, cultural logics and changing patterns of household fuel use in the context of Kenya’s recent policy drive to foster and promote clean energy use. The ethnographic project will (a) produce a comprehensive and contextualised study of household fuel use behaviour and drivers for adoption and sustained use of clean fuel, as well as (b) critically examine the consequences for clean energy policy development and associated interventions.

The Applicant
Applicants are expected to hold an undergraduate degree and a Master’s degree (equivalent 2:1 or above) in a relevant social science discipline (e.g. anthropology; sociology or science and technology studies). Experience and training in ethnographic methods is essential. Experience of working in and/or interest in Kenya is desirable as is interest and experience in global health, public health or environmental health.

Language Requirements. Applicants are required to be fluent in spoken and written English. Knowledge of Swahili is also desirable.
We are looking to recruit a candidate of the highest quality, who is capable of submitting a PhD thesis within 3 years. Funding will cover the three-year period subject to the candidate making satisfactory progress annually. PhD students will take part in the Institute of Population Health’s PhD programme at the University of Liverpool which offers seminars and training on research methodology, in addition to research training modules offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Application is by CV and Cover Letter. The Cover Letter must detail your interest in the studentship, related experience and training and suitability for the position.

Interview date: Interviews will be held in week beginning September 4th, 2019.
Start date: 1st October 2019
Eligibility: Home/EU/International

Please send curriculum vitae, names and details of 2 academic referees and a covering letter to [Email Address Removed] and [Email Address Removed]