This 3-year funded doctoral research builds on a foundation of previously funded studies at Northumbria University including: a collaborative co-funded PhD studentship between Northumbria University and the Foundation of Light, a Northumbria University Multi-Disciplinary Research Theme funded seminar series on realist economic evaluation methods (REEM), and an NIHR HS&DR 3-year funded methodological study developing realist economic evaluation methods.
This doctoral programme of research will evaluate the contribution of sports foundations to addressing social determinants of health, reducing inequalities, and their impact on health and well-being across the life course. To do this, the research will further develop and apply innovative methods combining realist and economic evaluation (REEM) (Brown S, Dalkin SM, Bate A, et al. 2020) to 1) explore the applicability of REEM in sport for development and more generally social enterprises in public heath, and 2) the transferability of the method and the findings to similar community-based assets and organisations.
Sport for development (SfD) refers to the intentional use of sport, physical activity and play to attain specific development objectives in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), and disadvantaged communities in high-income settings. Governments and charities have increasingly positioned SfD programmes as an important vehicle for achieving a number of policy outcomes regarding the development, health, and wellbeing of individuals and communities (Coalter, 2007; Janssen & Leblanc, 2010; Schulenkorf, Sherry, & Rowe, 2016). However, evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of SfD programmes is limited (Coalter 2010). This is due to several factors but not least because these are complex programmes, given the number of components in them, the expertise required to deliver them, and the flexibility inherent in them; thus, evaluations are inherently complex and incomplete. As articulated in the MRC’s new guidance for developing and evaluating complex interventions (ref), evaluations of complex social interventions require an appropriate methodology that 1) identifies the nuances of how the programmes work (how, for who, and in which circumstances) 2) measures and values the societal costs and benefits associated with the programmes. This will enable the organisation and commissioners to make better funding decisions long term.
This doctoral research will further develop, apply, and draw lessons for transferability of REEM as the proposed method to evaluate the complex social SfD programmes delivered by sports foundations. The research will be conducted within the Foundation of Light, the official charity of Sunderland AFC, with whom the research team have a long-standing relationship. The Foundation works among some of the most deprived authorities (top 20%) in England, that consistently perform below average on key health and educational metrics (www.localhealth.org.uk), addressing societal challenges in the North-East through the delivery of over 40 programmes in sport, education and careers, and health and wellbeing.
The successful candidate will work with an academic team with expertise in health economics (Dr Angela Bate), realist evaluation (Dr Sonia Dalkin) and sport for development (Professor Paul Potrac), alongside practice partner the Foundation of Light.
Academic Enquiries
This project is supervised by Dr Angela Bate, Dr Sonia Dalkin, and Professor Paul Potrac. For informal queries, please contact Dr Angela Bate, angela. [Email Address Removed]. For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please use the email form below to contact Admissions.
Funding Information
Home and International students (inc. EU) are welcome to apply. The studentship is available to Home and International (including EU) students and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2022/23 full-time study this is £17,668 per year) and full tuition fees. Studentships are also available for applicants who wish to study on a part-time basis over 5 years (0.6 FTE, stipend £10,600 per year and full tuition fees) in combination with work or personal responsibilities).
Please also see further advice below of additional costs that may apply to international applicants.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
- Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
- Applicants cannot apply for this funding if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
Please note: to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
- have settled status, or
- have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
- have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student. Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence, and be aware of the following additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the studentship.
- Immigration Health Surcharge https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application
- If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to the information on https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. It is important that you read this information very carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct funds required for your visa application otherwise your visa may be refused.
- Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the quarantine rules for travel to England https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19
- Costs associated with English Language requirements which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English, will not be borne by the university. Please see individual adverts for further details of the English Language requirements for the university you are applying to.
How to Apply
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
For applications to be considered for interview, please include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words and the advert reference (e.g. RDF23/…).
Deadline for applications: 27 January 2023
Start date of course: 1 October 2023 tbc
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