Dr Alison Parker, Mr P Hutchings
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Application deadline: 13/10/2017
Award type: PhD
Start date: November 2017
Duration of award: 3 years
Eligibility: UK/EU
Reference number: SWEE0027
Sponsored by People In Need, this studentship will provide a bursary of up to £17,000 p.a. (tax free) plus fees* for three years.
This PhD project aims to develop a better understanding of how Behaviour Change Communication or material inputs can effectively reduce the risk of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction in Ethiopia.
Globally, reducing the prevalence of stunting has been challenging to address. Efforts by different actors have often focussed on improving the quantity and quality of the nutritional intake of infants and pregnant women. Some actors have also included WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) interventions, typically promoting clean water, latrine use and handwashing, with the intention that the reduced diarrheal disease risk improves the absorption of nutrients and thus reduces stunting. However, this has ignored a critical issue:
In many rural areas infants under 2 years (within their first 1000 days) are left to play on the ground around the home where there is often livestock or even human faeces present. Rural households often have mud floors that can’t be properly cleaned. Recent research demonstrates the devastating impact environmental enteric dysfunction has on the development of the child.
• Review current evidence on intervention techniques have been effective in reducing the risk of infection and EED e.g. infant play mats provided to households with children under 2, behavioural change communication to keep livestock out of the house
• Participatory research to develop intervention techniques to minimise the risk of infection with the target groups.
• Conduct a control trial to measure the impact of the intervention techniques on infections risks, EED and anthropometric measurements.
The student will be based in London or Cranfield, based on discussions with the candidate, and will spend extended periods of time (several months) conducting fieldwork in Ethiopia.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a first or upper-second class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in nutrition, epidemiology, public health or a related discipline, and have a strong interest in developing their research expertise in environmental health-nutrition and behaviour change communication. A background in developing and using social research methods (especially qualitative techniques and/or mixed methods) is desirable. The ideal candidate should be highly self-motivated, and should preferably have some familiarity with the context of rural communities in Africa. The ability to work for long periods with limited supervision will be essential.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for this project please contact Alison Parker ([Email Address Removed]) to discuss your suitability for the post. Candidates should then complete the online application form.
When applying or enquiring about this research position please quote the research title.
For further information contact us today:
School of Water, Energy and Environment
T: 44 (0)1234 758082
E: [Email Address Removed]
Funding Notes
The studentship is funded jointly by People In Need and Cranfield University Joint PhD programme. A more detailed plan of the studentship is available to suitable candidates upon application. Funding to cover tuition fees and a monthly stipend is available for UK and European applications, but Worldwide applicants who possess suitable self-funding are also invited to apply.