Mental Health & Physical Literacy: Whole-School Approaches & Community Engagement

This PhD project sits within a larger collaborative partnership between BU and a multi-agency collective (Stormbreak: https://www.stormbreak.org.uk) that is focused on improving children’s psychological wellbeing through movement, sport and physical activity and equipping young people with sustainable, transferable skills and coping strategies to survive within the chaotic and complex demands of growth into adult life in the 21st Century. Through involving teachers, schools and activity providers, pupils, parents, carers and the wider community, the project aims to develop practice based evidence that can provide important data on the types of movement, activities, spaces and approaches that could make a meaningful impact on children’s mental health and wider educational aims and outcomes in young people’s lives. This evidence is of exceptional importance for policy makers, educationalists, schools, and health professionals given it will provide, for the first time, an understanding of practices (and a cacophony of voices), interventions, and school/community based approaches that can shape future mental health initiatives.

We will recruit a highly-capable candidate who has a high-quality first degree, experience in qualitative methodologies, with expertise in one or more of the disciplines relative to the project. Whilst respectful of the need to respect and nurture independence/entrepreneurial attributes, we will provide specific training and support relational to need/skill of the recruited candidate (needs-based approach), dependent on the strengths of the candidate. As might be expected in a large inter-disciplinary project, the candidate will experience a diversity of experiences (and approaches, techniques, tools) and team members (from established researchers), will be introduced to multiple disciplines/networks of researchers, and will be schooled in the requirements of being a professional researcher (in preparation for the project end-date). They will receive on-going and targeted support and training, will be fully integrated into the Department/University, and be enrolled in the Bournemouth University Doctoral College PGR Researcher Development Framework; being guided to specific opportunities relational to the project and to wider growth. Mindful of project objectives (and project management/communication), we will ensure opportunities to develop beyond the needs of the project and for teaching (balanced with project needs). Workload will be monitored across the project team / industry collaboration. The PGR would be fully involved in/gain full recognition/credit for (as named author) all project outputs, as per the inclusive, nurturing and developmental philosophy that underpins the approach/project.

How to apply:

Applications are made via our website using the Apply Online button below. If you have an enquiry about this project please contact us via the Email NOW button below, however your application will only be processed once you have submitted an application form as opposed to emailing your CV to us.

Candidates for funded PhD studentship must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 3 years.

The PhD Studentships are open to UK, EU and international students. Candidates for a PhD Studentship should demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 3 years and must demonstrate:

• A 1st class honours degree and/or a relevant Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent. If English is not your first language you’ll need IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.0 in each component).