Understanding the structure and engagement of personal networks that support older people with complex care needs in marginalised communities and their ability to adapt to increasingly ‘digitalised’ health and social care

About the project

In this fully funded PhD project, you will investigate the ability of older people with complex care needs to adapt to an increasingly digitalised health care landscape.

As healthcare needs increase, online health resources have become more popular to help people take charge of their own health management in an economically sustainable way. However, this raises concerns about how those with limited access to online resources can be supported.

In collaboration with the ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership, your research will examine the personal support networks for older people with complex care needs in marginalised communities, identifying implications for policies and healthcare practices.

You’ll use a mixed methods approach, developing quantitative social network analysis and qualitative network interviews. Your research will be supported by a supervisory team with expertise in social science health research and clinical experience working with older people with complex care needs.

This is a supervisor led PhD project for equality, diversity and inclusion. We encourage candidates from under-represented backgrounds to apply.

Lead supervisor

• Lead supervisor: IV Dr Ivaylo Vassilev Associate Professor

Dr Ivaylo Vassilev

• Dr Ivaylo Vassilev: Associate Professor

Dr Euan Sadler

• Social science applied health and ageing research
• Community-based interventions to promote ageing in place for older people with complex health and care needs
• Person centred care

Entry requirements

You require both of the following qualifications in a relevant subject area:

You also need previous experience of health research in community settings, and skills and knowledge in quantitative and qualitative research methods.

• a 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent)
• an MSc with 2:1 honours/merit (or international equivalent)

International applicants

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English.

You'll need to achieve a Band G, IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.

Fees and funding

Full tuition fees and a tax-free stipend of £17,668 for up to 3.5 years.

There is also access to additional support for training and fieldwork.

How to apply

You must submit 2 application forms to:

• University of Southampton
• ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership

University of Southampton application

Apply to University of Southampton

You need to:

• choose programme type (Research), 2023/24, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
• choose PhD in Health Sciences (Full time)
• add name of the supervisor (Dr Ivalyo Vassilev) in section 2

ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership

Apply to ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership

You must have submitted an application to us before completing the ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership form.

Faculty of social sciences

Email: fss-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

ESRC South Coast Doctoral Partnership

Email: scdtp@soton.ac.uk

Project leader

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Ivalyo Vassilev.

• email: i.i.vassilev@soton.ac.uk
• phone: +44 (0)23 8059 7875

Research areas