Fully Funded PhD in Public Health and Housing Regeneration at Lancaster University Lancaster University in United Kingdom

Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine, in partnership with Blackpool Council, is offering a fully funded PhD studentship focused on investigating the health impacts of housing regeneration in Blackpool. This opportunity is funded by the NWSSDTP and aims to address critical challenges faced by coastal communities undergoing significant regeneration. The research will provide vital evidence on how new housing, community change, and regeneration initiatives influence health, wellbeing, and inequalities.

The PhD project will employ a mixed methods approach across four integrated projects: reviewing national and local regeneration case studies, mapping housing conditions and health inequalities using spatial analysis, exploring lived experiences of housing renewal, and developing an evaluation framework to inform policy and future regeneration efforts. The research is designed to generate rich datasets and deliver practical tools to support local authorities, including Blackpool’s NIHR funded HDRC.

This studentship is open to applicants from any disciplinary background, with particular encouragement for those with experience in health, social care, or mixed methods research. Essential attributes include strong communication skills, motivation, and a passion for improving public health. The project is ideal for candidates interested in public health, housing regeneration, health inequalities, spatial analysis, and policy evaluation.

The studentship is fully funded, covering tuition fees, a UKRI stipend, additional allowances, research costs, and training. Both UK and international applicants are eligible to apply. The start date is 1 October 2026, and the application deadline is 12 March 2026. To apply, candidates should send a CV (max 3 pages), a supporting letter (max 2 pages), and degree transcripts to Dr Luigi Sedda at [email protected]. Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Luigi Sedda or Dr Sarah Blagden. Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams later in March.

This is a unique opportunity to join a project that will shape future regeneration policy and improve health outcomes in communities most in need. For more information, visit the NIHR Blackpool CRDC LinkedIn page or the project announcement link provided.