WALES ESRC DTP PHD 'COLLABORATIVE' STUDENTSHIP - School of Social Sciences: Impacts on child dietary behaviours and health: Exploring school policy responses to the rise in cost of living

Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, supported by the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership for Wales (Wales DTP), invites applications for PhD study. These particular studentships, known as ‘collaborative studentships’, involve liaison with a non-academic organisation, often at many key stages of the research programme. They will commence in October 2023. 

Supervisors: Dr Kelly Morgan and Dr Nicholas Page

External Collaborators: Welsh Local Government Association 

Project aims and methods: 

Approximately 7% of Welsh households experience food insecurity (inadequate access to healthy food) (UK Government, 2021). Households with children are at increased risk of food insecurity (Goudie and McIntyre, 2021) and approximately 3 million children face hunger during school holidays (Forsey, 2017). Young people living with food insecurity are shown to experience significantly worse short- and long-term health outcomes (Thomas et al., 2019). The cost-of-living crisis is likely to increase pressures on households, with many families struggling to afford a healthy diet and health inequalities set to widen. Schools have been identified as a key setting for supporting positive health and wellbeing in recent policy developments (Welsh Government, 2020) and Welsh Government has funded Universal Primary Free School Meals and £5 million for school holiday provision (e.g., Food and Fun clubs) in deprived areas of Wales (Welsh Government, 2021). This project will utilise secondary data and qualitative methods to assess impacts of the cost-of-living crisis on pupil’s dietary and health outcomes and the role of schools (including Food and Fun clubs) in supporting food security.  

Applications are invited from exceptional candidates with a first class or strong upper second class honours degree, or appropriate Master’s degree. Both the University and the ESRC Wales DTP value diversity and equality at all levels and we encourage applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation. In line with our commitment to supporting and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and to increase recruitment of currently underrepresented groups, applications from Black British, Asian British, minority ethnicity British and mixed race British candidates are particularly encouraged and welcomed. We welcome applications for both full and part-time study, and studentships are available as either ‘1+3’ (i.e. one full time year of research training Masters followed by three years of full-time Doctoral study, or the part-time equivalent), or ‘+3’ (i.e. three years of full-time doctoral study or its part-time equivalent), depending on the needs of the applicant.

Applications welcomed by 12:00pm GMT on 3^rd February 2023. Short-listed to be invited to interview between 22/02 – 28/02/2023.

Applicants should take careful consideration of the working title and description of the project and may wish to contact the named member of staff for a discussion prior to applying.

ELIGIBILITY

ESRC studentships are highly competitive. Candidates should have an excellent academic background in the social sciences, holding a 1^st or strong upper 2^nd class degree; applications from those also holding a relevant research training Masters degree (or an equivalent background in research training) will be considered for a +3 award. Wales DTP studentships are available to both home and international (including EU and EEA) students. All applicants will be eligible for a full award consisting of a maintenance stipend and payment of tuition fees at the UK research organisation rate. Applicants must satisfy studentship eligibility requirements. For further details see the UKRI website. Successful international student applicants will receive a fully-funded Wales DTP studentship and will not be charged the fees difference between the UK and international rate.

1+3 OR +3?

Awards are available on either a 1+3 or +3 basis. A 1+3 studentship provides funding for four years (or part-time equivalent), completing a research training Masters in the 1st year, followed by 3 years research funding for a PhD. A +3 studentship provides funding for the three years PhD research study only (or part-time equivalent).

ASSESSMENT

The closing deadline for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 3^rd February 2023. Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview, which are expected to take place between 22/02 – 28/02/2023. After interview, a final short-list of applicants will be put forward to a Panel convened by the ESRC Wales DTP Management Group at which final decisions with regard to studentship awards will be made. Successful applicants can expect to hear by early April 2023.