Health in an Ageing Society: Geographical Inequalities in Access to Services and Amenities in Later Life

Applications are invited for full-time interdisciplinary doctoral research focused on investigating geographical inequalities in access to health and social care services and other amenities in later life using routinely available data.<br /> <br /> The work will be undertaken in the context of the Dunhill Medical Trust Reimagine Ageing Doctoral Research Programme embedded in the Interdisciplinary Reimagine Ageing Research Network. The Network focuses on improving the quality of life, functional capacity and well-being of people as they age. It is embedded in and is being co-created with community partners with the intent for meaningful interdisciplinary engagement from colleagues across the University of Leeds and with the communities whose lives they seek to improve.

<p>The 2023 Chief Medical Officer’s Report on Health in an Ageing Society identifies internal migration of older people to areas that are underserved by health and care services and wider amenities as a major challenge facing our ageing society. However, there is also a large population of older people who are ageing in place, in urban areas characterised by socioeconomic disadvantage, who need adequate access to health and social care services and other amenities. This interdisciplinary PhD, supervised by leading UK ageing research data scientists, will investigate geographical inequalities in access to health and social care services and other amenities in later life. It has considerable potential to contribute novel evidence to support local, regional and national health and social care policy on maximising independence, health and wellbeing in later life. </p> <p>The award is open to full-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility for a place on a PhD degree in the School of Medicine. </p> <p>Interested applicants should submit applications outlining their interest and experience in the topic area.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.leeds.ac.uk/reimagine-ageing">Reimagine Ageing Interdisciplinary Research Network</a> is hosted by the Horizons Institute University of Leeds. The focus is on how approaches and innovative solutions might enhance the perceptions, narratives and experience of ageing.</p> <p>The Network brings together academics, clinicians, industrial partners, charities, the third sector, and local authorities to stimulate new interdisciplinary collaborations and co-create novel, imaginative responses to the global challenge of ageing. The Reimagine Ageing PhD Programme has been funded by Dunhill Medical Trust and the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Leeds. </p> <p>Whilst the PhD students will be hosted by the Faculty of Medicine and Health the focus will be on interdisciplinary work.</p> <p>Please contact Professor Andy Clegg for further details if required.</p>

<p>To apply for this scholarship applicants should complete an <a href="https://prod.banner.leeds.ac.uk/ssb/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application:</p> <ul> <li>a full academic CV</li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks</li> <li>evidence that you meet the University’s English language requirements (if applicable)</li> </ul> <p>To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form</p> <ul> <li>Select PhD in Medicine as your programme of study</li> <li>Provide the area you are interested in and briefly outline the type of research you wish to pursue relevant to the area identified</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for a Dunhill Medical Trust Scholarship</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University’s minimum English language requirements (below)</p> <p><em>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. Across all Faculties 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.</em></p>

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Medicine should normally have an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential.

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of Medicine 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.

<p>We are offering 3 full-time PhD scholarship for UK candidates, covering a maintenance grant of £19,237 per year and UK tuition fees for three and a half years subject to satisfactory progress. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to two years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.</p> <p>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree. Awards will be taken up sometime in the 2024/25 academic year. Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship, with the expectation they will contribute to development of the Reimagine Ageing Network.</p>

<p>For information about the project please contact Andy Clegg (<a href="mailto:A.P.Clegg@leeds.ac.uk">A.P.Clegg@leeds.ac.uk</a>) and/or Anne Forster (<a href="mailto:A.Forster@leeds.ac.uk">A.Forster@leeds.ac.uk</a>)</p> <p>For information about the admissions process please contact: <a href="mailto:fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>