Transforming Lives PhD scholarship, Sheffield Hallam University: Targeting Perinatal Mental Health Inequities: Co-Designing Tailored Interventions to Improve Outcomes in Underserved High-Risk Communities

About the project

About the Project Applications are invited for a Transforming Lives PhD scholarship in Health and Social Care commencing 01 February 2027 The scholarship is for three and a half years full-time study and covers home PhD fees, currently £5328 and pays an annual stipend at the living wage foundation rate of £22,152 per year in the academic year 2025/26 This stipend payment will increase annually based on the rate set by the living wage foundation for the duration of the scholarship. PhD Project: Targeting Perinatal Mental Health Inequities: Co-Designing Tailored Interventions to Improve Outcomes in Underserved High-Risk Communities Perinatal mental health problems disproportionately affect women experiencing social disadvantage (e.g. ethnic minority backgrounds, migration, poverty, disability, social care experience), contributing to significant inequalities in maternal and infant outcomes. This PhD project will focus on one or more population at greatest risk of poor perinatal mental health outcomes. Using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods approaches, the successful candidate will investigate the individual, social, cultural, and healthcare factors that drive these disparities. By working with healthcare data, community stakeholders, and women with lived experience an in-depth understanding of unmet needs and barriers to support will be developed; with the key aim of the project being to co-design and evaluate a targeted intervention to reduce disparities. This intervention may include digital, community-based, physical activity, peer-support, or culturally adapted approaches, to improve perinatal mental health access, engagement, and outcomes among the most vulnerable groups. This research offers an exciting opportunity to generate impactful evidence that informs equitable maternity care and reduces longstanding inequalities in perinatal mental health.” If you are interested in this project, and would like to discuss your ideas, please contact the Director of Studies, Professor Hora Soltani h.soltani@shu.ac.uk or supervisor Frankie Fair: f.fair@shu.ac.uk Sheffield as your research base: Sheffield is one of the UK’s greenest and most welcoming cities. With over a third of the city inside the Peak District National Park, outstanding cycling and walking routes, and a vibrant science and healthcare ecosystem, Sheffield offers a rare combination of natural beauty and research excellence. It is an ideal environment for both academic focus and a high quality of life — a supportive place to thrive during a PhD. Applicants should hold: a BSc (2:1 or above, or equivalent) degree qualification in Health and Social Care, or other relevant areas. A Master’s degree qualification in a relevant area is desirable. Professional qualifications and background in Health and Social Care is desirable, but not essential. Applicants without a professional qualification should have a strong academic background in a Health and Social Care related discipline. Important Information for International / EU applicants Please see the funding notes section of this advert for important fee information. Sheffield Hallam University has a mandatory English language requirement of IELTS 7, or equivalent language qualification, for all applicants from countries not included in the UKVI exemption list: https://www.gov.uk/english-language/exemptions . This qualification must have been taken within the last two-years, with a score of at least 6.5 in all test areas. International applicants who have studied at Masters level in the UK and gained a merit or above , within two-years of the start date of this scholarship may be exempt from applying for an additional IELTs test if their qualification does not meet the above criteria. Please check with Health-PGR-admissions@shu.ac.uk prior to application, as our academic shortlisting panel cannot consider applications if this essential qualification is not submitted. How to apply: Our PhD scholarships involve full-time PhD study and a requirement that successful applicants must have completed all study and any employment by the start date of the scholarship, which is 01 February 2027. Currently enrolled PhD students at Sheffield Hallam cannot apply. Please complete and submit an application form: https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/health-and-social-care-management/phd-health-and-social-care/full-time/2026 Please add the project title of the scholarship you are applying for clearly in the Personal Statement field of application form. You must ensure that you upload: 1. A 1,500-word research proposal addressing this specific project. 2. Two letters of reference, or details of two academic referees 3. Copy of your highest degree certificate 4. Copy of your passport 5. International applicants only must submit IELTS results (or equivalent) taken in the last two-years must confirm that they have the personal resources to cover the scholarship fee gap set out within the funding section of this advert. We do not accept proposals setting out an applicant's own research and cannot consider applications where the above mandatory documents have not been submitted . If you experience issues submitting your online application, or for general enquiries please contact: DoctoralSchool-HWLS-PGR@shu.ac.uk Submission deadline: 16 November 2026 (12 noon GMT) Late applications will not be accepted . Interviews: W/C 07 December 2026 Please note, we are unable to offer alternative interview slots once allocated to shortlisted candidates.

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