Social determinants of health equity in multiple sclerosis: investigating the journey to diagnosis and treatment for people with MS

In this PhD, you will take a sociological lens to explore the lived experience of people living with MS on their journey from initial symptoms to the diagnosis of MS and start of treatment.<br /> Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, live, work and age. Many such conditions are studied in research, including wealth, income, housing, geographical location, and factors related to ethnicity such as racism. <br /> <br /> Research into the effect of socioeconomic status on multiple sclerosis (MS) disability outcomes indicate a relationship between greater deprivation at disease onset and greater disability, even in countries with a universal health-care system. Some studies suggest that people with MS with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to be diagnosed earlier and to be prescribed disease-modifying therapy than people with lower socioeconomic status (Dobson et al., 2022). <br /> This PhD is embedded in a multi-centre UK study to investigate the social determinants of MS treatment and outcomes in Bradford, Leeds, East London, and Cardiff led by Professor Helen Ford. This PhD will explore the factors which impact the experience of diagnosis of MS in Leeds and Bradford, including understanding of MS, information gathering/interactions with family, friends and networks, access to health care and the journey to final diagnosis and treatment.<br /> The successful candidate will have experience using qualitative methods, and research interests in social and/or health inequalities, with a focus on disability studies. This is a full PhD studentship, funded by the Horne Family Charitable Foundation for 3.5 years, which includes UK student fees and an annual maintenance grant (19,237 GBP in 2024/25). It sits within Sociology and Social Policy and will be jointly supervised by Dr. Claudia Coveney (Sociology and Social Policy) and Professor Helen Ford (Neurology). You will benefit from a vibrant postgraduate research culture at the University of Leeds and be affiliated with the Centre for Disability Studies, a world-leading network of researchers committed to carrying out research that helps achieve equality and social justice for disabled people. <br /> Although we have specified that fieldwork will engage with the lived experiences of people with multiple sclerosis, we have not decided on the research methods. As part of your application, you are required to write a proposal of no more than 2,000 words (excluding references), which explains and justifies the methods you propose to use. <br />

<p>In this PhD, you will take a sociological lens to explore the lived experience of people living with MS on their journey from initial symptoms to the diagnosis of MS and start of treatment. Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, live, work and age. Many such conditions are studied in research, including wealth, income, housing, geographical location, and factors related to ethnicity such as racism. <br /> Multiple sclerosis  is the number one cause of neurological impairment among young and middle-aged adults, with the age of diagnosis ranging from 20 to 50 years (Strober, 2018). There are 105,800 people living with multiple sclerosis in England, approximately 3 of 4 are women (Public Health England, 2020). Multiple sclerosis is a progressive condition and its unpredictability may cause fears for the future and financial uncertainly for families (Hunter, Parry, & Thomas, 2021). Research into the effect of socioeconomic status on multiple sclerosis (MS) disability outcomes indicate a relationship between greater deprivation at disease onset and greater disability, even in countries with a universal health-care system. Some studies suggest that people with MS with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to be diagnosed earlier and to be prescribed disease-modifying therapy than people with lower socioeconomic status (Dobson et al, 2022). <br /> This PhD is embedded in a multi-centre UK study to investigate the social determinants of MS treatment and outcomes in Bradford, Leeds, East London, and Cardiff led by Professor Helen Ford. This PhD will explore the factors which impact the experience of diagnosis of MS in Leeds and Bradford, including understanding of MS, information gathering/interactions with family, friends and networks, access to health care and the journey to final diagnosis and treatment.<br /> It sits within Sociology & Social Policy and will be jointly supervised by Dr. Claudia Coveney (Sociology & Social Policy) and Professor Helen Ford (Neurology). The School of Sociology and Social Policy is home to a thriving academic community that will provide a rich and supportive environment for the present research. The School has strong affiliations with the Faculty's Centre for Disability Studies (CDS), which draws on expertise from across the University and is a nationally and internationally renowned research and teaching centre widely recognised for its work to achieve disability equality and social justice. The candidate will have opportunities to draw on School-level expertise not only in Disability Studies, but also from sociological experts in migration, gender and ethnicity. This is a full PhD studentship, funded by the Horne Family Charitable Foundation for 3.5 years, which includes UK student fees and an annual maintenance grant (19,237 GBP in 2024/25). You will benefit from a vibrant postgraduate research culture at the University of Leeds and be affiliated with the Centre for Disability Studies. <br /> The successful candidate will have experience using qualitative methods, and research interests in social and/or health inequalities, with a focus on disability studies. Research that focusses on social, rather than individual issues, has the potential to be a more empowering experience for participants. Moreover, past research with disabled people has been criticised for failing to improve disabled people’s material circumstances and quality of life (Oliver, 1992) and this criticism gave rise to new means of doing research with disabled people, including emancipatory, participatory and inclusive research (Oliver, 1992; Stone & Priestley, 1996; Walmsley & Johnson, 2003; Zarb, 1992). The successful candidate will engage with these debates and develop a sensitive and suitable means of conducting this study. It is anticipated that a purposive sampling strategy (Campbell et al., 2020) will be used to include the views of people with multiple sclerosis from different socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.<br /> Although we have specified that fieldwork will engage with the lived experiences of people with multiple sclerosis, we have not decided on the research methods. As part of your application, you are required to write a proposal of no more than 2,000 words (excluding references), which explains and justifies the methods you propose to use. <br /> References<br /> Campbell, S., Greenwood, M., Prior, S., Shearer, T., Walkem, K., Young, S., . . . Walker, K. (2020). Purposive sampling: complex or simple? Research case examples. Journal of Research in Nursing, 25(8), 652-661. doi:10.1177/1744987120927206<br /> Dobson, R., Rice, D.R., D’hooghe, M. et al. Social determinants of health in multiple sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 18, 723–734 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-022-00735-5<br /> Hunter, R., Parry, B., & Thomas, C. (2021). Fears for the future: A qualitative exploration of the experiences of individuals living with multiple sclerosis, and its impact upon the family from the perspective of the person with MS. British Journal of Health Psychology, 26(2), 464-481<br /> Oliver, M. (1992). Changing the Social Relations of Research Production? Disability, Handicap & Society, 7(2), 101 - 114.<br /> Public Health England. (2020, 04-02). Multiple sclerosis: prevalence, incidence and smoking status - data briefing. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/multiple-sclerosis-prevalence-incidence-and-smoking-status/multiple-sclerosis-prevalence-incidence-and-smoking-status-data-briefing#:~:text=The%20Multiple%20Sclerosis%20Society%20estimate,each%20year%20%5Bfootnote%201%5D.</p> <p>Stone, E., & Priestley, M. (1996). Parasites, pawns and partners: disability research and the role of non-disabled researchers. Brit. Jnl. of Sociology, 47(4), 699-716.</p> <p>Strober, L. (2018). Quality of life and psychological well-being in the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS): Importance of adopting a biopsychosocial model. Disability and Health Journal, 11(4), 555-561</p>

<p>Duration of the Award<br /> o    Full-time (3.5 years)</p> <p>Funding<br /> o    Full Fees<br /> o    Maintenance (£19,237 in 2024/25 for full-time study) This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate.</p> <p>Other Conditions<br /> o    Awards must be taken up by 1 February 2025<br /> o    The awards are available for new Postgraduate Researchers undertaking full-time study leading to the degree of PhD. Students who are already registered for PhD research study are excluded from applying. <br /> o    Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</p> <p>Selection Process<br /> o    The final list of awards are based on academic merit and no other factors such as financial hardship are taken into account.<br /> <br />  </p>

<p>Stage 1<br /> First, apply for a research place of study, through the online application form. Please state clearly that the funding you wish to be considered for is “The Scholarship in Social determinants of health equity in multiple sclerosis: investigating the journey to diagnosis and treatment for people with MS”. You will be expected to meet our eligibility criteria for PHD candidates.</p> <p><a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/sociology-research-degrees/doc/apply-1">In order to be considered for the Scholarship you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application for PhD study. </a><br /> <br /> Any study applications that are not accompanied by the documents requested by the deadline will not be considered for the award.</p> <p>Once you have received your student ID number (a 9-digit number) move onto stage 2.</p> <p>Stage 2<br /> Apply for the Scholarship by completing the online <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/school-of-sociology-and-social-policy-scholarship-in-social-det">Scholarship Application Form</a>. You must submit your scholarship application by 5p.m. on Friday 29^th November 2024</p> <p><br /> •    Please note that an unsuccessful application for this scholarship does not exclude you from applying for other research study opportunities or scholarships offered by the University of Leeds. <br /> •     Please note that, due to the large volume of applications, the University of Leeds will not enter into any correspondence regarding the progress of an application until the outcome is known. <br /> •    If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the minimum English language requirements <br />  </p> <p>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Within the we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+; and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability. </p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>For further information please contact the Admissions Office<br /> e: applypgr.socialsciences@leeds.ac.uk</p>