The School of Journalism, Media and Culture at Cardiff University is offering a four-year, fully funded PhD studentship as part of the AHRC-funded Lles Doctoral Fund Award. The project, titled Enabling Activities: Narratives of Health and Wellbeing in Wales and Beyond, invites applications from researchers interested in exploring how arts and humanities can contribute to health policy and wellbeing. The studentship is embedded within the unique context of the Well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015, aiming to improve the sustainability and wellbeing of people and places in Wales.

This doctoral project will use analytical approaches from film, media, literature, and cultural studies to examine real literary and audiovisual accounts of people's health and exercise journeys across Welsh, British, and Anglophone popular culture. The research will focus on narratives found in film, television, journalism, blogs, vlogs, novels, memoirs, and other media, capturing experiences of hesitancy, initiation, continuation, or cessation in health, exercise, and wellbeing activities. The project encourages intersectional analysis, considering factors such as age, gender, sexuality, class, ethnicity, location, and disability. Theoretical frameworks may include feminist theory, race and ethnicity studies, affect studies, phenomenology, cultural geography, and embodiment studies.

Supervision will be provided by Professor Paul Bowman (Professor of Cultural Studies) and Dr Diana Garrisi (Lecturer in Media and Communication), both renowned for their expertise in media, exercise, physical culture, journalism, body studies, and disability representation. The successful candidate will benefit from bespoke training delivered in collaboration with the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, focusing on the Act and its application in public life and policy. Additionally, every Lles student will undertake a sustained placement with a Welsh public body, gaining valuable research and employment experience.

The studentship is fully funded by the AHRC, covering tuition fees, an annual tax-free living stipend (£20,780 for 2025-26 full-time), and access to a Research Training Support Grant. Applicants with disabilities may be eligible for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) in addition to the studentship. Both full-time and part-time applications are welcomed.

Eligibility requires a strong academic background in media studies, cultural studies, literature, or related arts and humanities disciplines. A first or upper second class undergraduate degree (or equivalent) is typically required, and a relevant master's degree is desirable. Intellectual curiosity, analytical skills, and an interest in health, wellbeing, and policy are essential.

Applications must be submitted online via Cardiff University's application portal by March 27, 2026. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend the information webinar on March 3, 2026, to learn more about the Lles project and ask questions. For further details and to apply, visit the project page linked below.

Project Details and Application