The UK and Italy are two similarly sized European nations, yet their climates, land types and socio-political systems differ substantially. Zoonotic pathogen transmission occurs against the backdrop of these differences. Zoonotic pathogens have a range of transmission strategies, (e.g. insect vectored, food borne, directly transmitted) and, ‘between nation’ differences, are likely to have different effects on zoonoses transmitted in different ways. For example, a directly transmitted pathogen such as SARS-Cov-2, may be less affected by climate and land use but substantially affected by different control processes influenced by the countries’ political and governance systems. Conversely, the tick borne Borrelia burgdorferi, the cause of Lyme’s disease, may be more strongly influenced by land type and use and by climatic conditions. For still others, such as some food borne infections, environment, politics and societal influences (e.g. dietary preferences), may all be similarly important. Predicting the future spatial prevalence and designing efficacious control for these zoonotic pathogens, therefore, requires a Planetary Health approach (PH). A PH approach recognises that these socio-political and nature-based drivers need to be understood together in relation to the transmission strategies of the zoonotic pathogen. Learning from different socio-cultural and ecological contexts can help inform best practice.
This PhD will bring ecological analysis of zoonotic pathogen transmission together with social and political theory, developing a whole system approach.
This PhD will:
- Explore how zoonotic pathogen transmission and prevalence are influenced by climate land type and socio-political systems, using statistical analysis of common exemplar zoonoses.
- Predict future prevalence patterns across the UK and Italy through development of a mathematical models based on our statistical findings and previously published climate and land use change models.
- Consider the implications of social and political theories, to extend thinking on the environmental relationships that shape pathogen control strategies.
- Determine best practice disease management strategies based upon our developed whole system understanding.
Supervisory Team - Dr Joanne Lello (Cardiff, Biosciences), Dr Milja Kurki (Aberystwyth), Dr Sarah Perkins (Cardiff, Biosciences), Dr Sara Macbride-Stewart (Cardiff, Social Sciences) and Professor Nicola Ferrari (Milan). The supervisory team for the project come from multiple disciplines spanning from pathogen/wildlife ecology and veterinary medicine through to political theory and social science. The team is therefore well placed to cover the transdisciplinary nature of this project.
The Project Partner, Nicola Ferrari is a Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Milan, who works with multiple Italian NGOs and government agencies across Europe and can both offer excellent access to relevant datasets and established stakeholder contacts .
The student will be based within the established PhD groups of Dr Lello & Dr Perkins, including attending their joint weekly research meeting, where ideas are discussed, presentations can be practiced, and problems can be jointly solved. They will also benefit from experiencing activities in the School of Social Sciences (Dr MacBride-Stewart) and in different institutions through interactions with Political Theorist Dr Kurki (Aberystwyth) and project partner Prof Ferrari (University of Milan).
Skills and experience the student will gain from the PhD:
The student will be trained in transdisciplinary research practices (building research from the ground up with multiple disciplines). They will gain experience in interacting with a wide range of stakeholder institutions. They will gain or extend their skills in statistical analysis and learn to interpret these analyses in light of both quantitative and qualitative data. They will gain or extend their skills in mathematical modelling.
What the student should bring to the project:
Enthusiasm for working across disciplines. A strong skill base in microbiology/parasitology, ecology and statistics at undergraduate/masters or equivalent evidenced experience gained during employment. Good skills in written and oral communication. Some experience in mathematical modelling would be an advantage but is not essential.
Project Flexibility:
This project is largely computer based and is therefore an extremely flexible project that can work around the needs and schedule of a diverse range of students. The project is suitable for part-time study or can be full-time with flexible working hours. There is some requirement for travel to the Italian partner institution and to the Aberystwyth Supervisor, but we will work with the student to adapt timelines where necessary. We are an inclusive team and EDI is at the heart of our working practice.
How to apply:
You can apply online - consideration is automatic on applying for a PhD with an October 2023 start date.
Please use our online application service at:
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/biosciences-phd-mphil-md
and specify in the funding section that you wish to be considered for UKRI OneZoo funding.
Please specify that you are applying for this particular project and name the supervisor.
Information on the application process can be found here
If not successful in being shortlisted for this particular studentship you could be considered for other studentships within the OneZoo program, please see the full list here: https://peter-kille.github.io/OneZoo/projects_2023.html’
Application deadline: 1st May 2023 with interviews (either in person or online) being held on or around end of May and decisions being made by June 2023 for a 1st Oct 2023 start.
You must also by 1 May 2023 send the following to [Email Address Removed] (title of the email must include the name of the host institution to which you are applying, and the surname of the principal supervisor) e.g. "Cardiff_Cable"
- Completed CDT application Form - available to download here
- Completed Equal Opportunities Form - available to download here
- 2 page CV
- Copy of passport photo page
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