PhD studentship in children’s social care and/or education and health inequalities

Award summary

100% of home tuition fees paid and annual stipend (living expenses) currently £19,237 for 24/25.  Additional funding to cover research costs and attendance at training and conferences.  

Overview 

Interested in children’s health, social care and education? This PhD project will explore critical challenges in children’s social care and/ or education with a particular focus on health inequalities.  

The proposed PhD project is a collaborative partnership between Newcastle University (Newcastle Health Innovation Partnership) and Newcastle City Council’s (NCC) Health Determinants Research Collaboration. The specific focus of the research can be proposed by the applicant. Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss their ideas with the below contacts before submission to ensure their research interest is aligned to the strategic priorities of NCC. Priorities include but are not limited to school exclusions, reducing care entry and late adoption breakdown. Research should include exploring innovative strategies to enhance outcomes for disadvantaged children and families within Newcastle and seek to develop the evidence base and generate actionable recommendations for policy and practice. We are particularly interested in applications that adopt multidisciplinary and multi-methods approaches.  

Number of awards 

1 

Start date  

September 2024 

Award duration 

The funding covers a three-year PhD 

Application closing date 

Friday 31st May 2024 

Sponsor 

Newcastle University Faculty of Medical Sciences & Newcastle Health Innovation Partnership  

Supervisors 

Prof Ruth McGovern, Newcastle University, Population Health Sciences Institute r.mcgovern@newcastle.ac.uk  

Dr Louise Brennan, Newcastle University, Population Health Sciences Institute 

Louise.brennan@newcastle.ac.uk  

Dr Liz Castle, Newcastle City Council Health Determinants Research Collaboration elizabeth.castle@newcastle.gov.uk  

Eligibility Criteria 

• A minimum 2:1 degree in a relevant subject area.
• Training in social research methods, preferably through a masters or experience
• Interest in health inequalities, children’s social care and/or education research, desire to have real world impact
• The ability to work collaboratively across organisations and willingness to ensure research is beneficial to Newcastle City Council.
• This award is available to home and international applicants. Successful international candidates will be required to make up the difference between home fees and international fees.

How to apply 

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal   

In ‘Course choice’ tab, click ‘Search Course’ put ‘Postgraduate Research’ in ‘Type of Study’, ‘Full Time’ in ‘Mode of Study’, ‘2024’ in ‘Year of Entry’, code ‘8370F’ in ‘Course Title’, blank in ‘Research Area’.   

Press ‘Search’, select ‘PhD Population Health Sciences (FT)’, and click ‘Save selection.’   

Either upload a document or write into ‘Personal Statement’. Put code ‘PH048’ in ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’. When prompted for research proposal, select ‘Write Proposal’. Type in the title of the research project from this advert. A research proposal is not required. You can also upload a covering letter and CV, please state how your interests and experience relate to the project.    

Contact details 

Professor Ruth McGovern, Newcastle University, Population Health Sciences Institute r.mcgovern@newcastle.ac.uk  

Dr Liz Castle, Newcastle City Council Health Determinants Research Collaboration elizabeth.castle@newcastle.gov.uk