Promoting mental health and wellbeing to build the resilience, capability and capacity of postgraduate research students.

The mental health and wellbeing of postgraduate research students (PGRs) is an increasing issue for Universities in the UK, to the extent that it has become a recurring story in many major UK newspapers. The National Union of Students, the Higher Education Academy, the UK Council for Graduate Education, HEFCE and VITAE are all researching the issue. It is increasingly important for HEIs to have strategies for embedding positive support mechanisms which are designed to improve the resilience and capability of their PGRs, so that they are better supported by the institution and moreover, better able to support themselves and more likely to complete their programme as planned.

While all students are potentially vulnerable to mental health issues, it is becoming evident that this is a phenomenon which is more widespread at PGR level. The Institute for Public Policy Research report "Not by Degrees. Improving Student Mental Health in the UKs Universities" (Thornton 2017) suggests that many students do not disclose existing mental health conditions and this may be more likely for postgraduate students, and a particularly challenging issue for international students.

It is an extremely positive step forwards for the issue of PGR mental health and wellbeing to be openly acknowledged and discussed, and the previous culture of acceptance that a degree of stress and distress are an almost inevitable component of a PhD, is now being challenged. However, if the issue is to be meaningfully addressed it is important for HEI’s to offer support which is demonstrably effective and to and to make interventions into their current provision which have a positive impact. It is therefore critical that new, empirical research is undertaken to accurately assess the factors which cause stress and anxiety, and, once the results of this research are analysed, a programme of actions can then be designed which will mitigate the negative influences, and instead build resilience in PGRs. Actions will also encompass the recommendations to HEIs about the training required of those who supervise and the support PGRs in appropriate behaviours and also about the mechanisms which can be adopted to support a mentally health and robust postgraduate community.

Design: After a systematic review of the literature on mental health issues amongst students with particular reference to PGRs, the study will involve a mixed method design across two phases:
1) Longitudinal quantitative and qualitative data collection exploring PGR’s experiences at different points in their research degree journey;
2) Development, implementation and testing of support packages designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of PGR students and to build resilience. The package will be driven by findings of the systematic review and first phase.

Data collection and analysis: Following consent, participants will be asked to complete two questionnaires at least six months apart. Focus groups and interviews may be used to collect narratives to support the quantitative data. Quantitative data will be collated and analysed using the statistical package SPSS. Qualitative data will be analysed using an appropriate method.

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 4 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 4 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).