Funded PhD: Community-based interventions to address antimicrobial resistance in low-resource agricultural communities

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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health challenge that affects people’s health and livelihoods. These impacts are especially high in low-resource settings (LRSs). Previous research in East Africa has identified gaps in public understandings of AMR and means to prevent it, especially in subsistence farming communities.

The successful PhD student will explore the best ways of creating awareness and understanding of AMR in communities in LRSs, focusing on well-studied populations of northern Tanzania. They will first establish appropriate theoretical framing underpinning community-based AMR interventions in this particular context. They will then identify health-seeking behaviours that perpetuate AMR risks, as well as common misperceptions and misunderstandings. Based on communities’ perceptions of previous health campaigns and direct dialogue with community members and their health providers, the student will co-design the framework of a community-specific AMR communication campaign and will develop campaign messages using creative, culture-centered methods with a focus on music-based performance.

Applicants will be exposed to a highly inter-disciplinary training programme. Through the project they will develop a strong social science skill set, although its success will depend on incorporating biomedical knowledge to clearly link people’s experiences and practices around treatment to good health outcomes through locally relevant communication.

Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a degree in a relevant subject.

This funded PhD project is part of the MVLS College Futures PhD Programme. The MVLS College Futures PhD Programme is an ambitious initiative from The College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences (MVLS) at the University of Glasgow, designed to cultivate the next generation of research leaders. Commencing in October 2025, this programme offers up to 12 fully-funded PhD studentships, each spanning 3.5 years and providing a comprehensive package that includes a stipend at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rates, coverage of home tuition fees, and a generous allocation of up to £17,500 for research consumables.

The MVLS College Futures PhD Programme is intricately aligned with the MVLS 2033 vision, focusing on four pivotal research themes:

1. Fundamentals of Life: Aiming to position the University as a globally recognized center for discovery bioscience, this theme emphasizes groundbreaking fundamental research.
2. Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics: Dedicated to pioneering the development and implementation of next-generation clinical interventions for both human and animal health.
3. Health Inequalities: Focused on unraveling the root causes and consequences of health disparities, this theme seeks to devise and apply scalable solutions to bridge health gaps.
4. Planetary Health: Exploring the intricate relationships between environmental changes and the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems, this theme strives to identify and assess innovative strategies to mitigate emerging threats.

Read more about the MVLS College Futures PhD Programme

https://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/graduateschool/phd-research-opportunities/futures-programme/

Application closing date: March 5, 2025

Programme start date: October 2025