Challenging Health Outcomes - Integrated Community Environments (CHOICE): social prescribing for people living with severe mental illness

Summary

Severe mental illness (SMI) is an umbrella term commonly describing conditions such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, bipolar disorder. An extended definition includes people living with a major depressive disorder or personality disorder. Importantly, SMI denotes a chronic condition with profoundly negative health and social impacts. Thus, people with severe mental illness (SMI) die prematurely, as much as 25 years younger than the general population, due to modifiable medical risk factor and high rates of physical multimorbidity are well-documented

The CHOICE project was funded (£1.8 million) by the UK Arts & Humanities Research Council in 2024. The project involves several connected research strands that have been designed to understand if a social prescribing project for people with severe mental illness can help reduce the social isolation that they experience . To assist us in this major 3-year project, we seek a doctoral student who will undertake additional research on (1) participants’ motivations to join activities; (2) their preferences for different activities; and (3) how participants use an internet platform designed by CHOICE to promote social inclusion. In addition to novel research findings about social inclusion and change in this population, the student’s work will contribute to the design of a phone-based app for improving social inclusion of vulnerable groups.

Methods: The doctoral work will use mixed methods in which co-design with people living with mental health problems is crucial. The study will include (a) a systematic review of Social prescribing for people with SMI; (b) an examination of data generated by service users’ engagement with the platform; (c) qualitative examination of participant motivation, preferences and barriers to engagement; and (d) design aspects of a social inclusion app. For the latter, the student will be supervised by colleagues with IT design expertise. You will also be supported by our large multidisciplinary team

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship
• Evidence of academic writing skills (a short sample of academic written work of the applicant's choosing (Max 3 pages, A4, font 11)) – please upload in the section entitled Research Proposal

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• A demonstrable interest in or experience of using open science methods

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.