Nigel Groome PhD Studentship: Food, Nutrition, and Health in Female Prisoners – Mixed-Methods Assessment of Dietary Sufficiency, Intervention, and Lived Experience Oxford Brookes University in United Kingdom

[Full tuition fees at Home rate, bench fees, and UKRI stipend of £20,780 per year for 3 years. International applicants must pay the difference between International and Home fees. Visa and associated costs are not funded.]

This fully funded PhD studentship at Oxford Brookes University offers a unique opportunity to address a critical public health challenge: improving the nutrition and health of female prisoners. The project, titled 'Food, Nutrition, and Health in Female Prisoners: A Mixed-Methods Assessment of Dietary Sufficiency, Intervention, and Lived Experience,' aims to generate robust data to inform and reform food provision and consumption in UK prisons. Women in custody are a highly vulnerable group, facing gender-specific dietary needs and elevated risks of poor mental and physical health, yet they remain severely underrepresented in research. This studentship aligns with UK government priorities and has strong potential for policy impact, promising transformational benefits for prisoner wellbeing, operational practices, and broader social outcomes.

The research will be supervised by Professor Jonathan Tammam (Director of Studies), Dr Shelly Coe, and Ms Bethan Leach, who bring expertise in nutrition, public health, and mixed-methods research. The successful candidate will join the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology and benefit from a supportive academic environment with a track record of policy-influencing research in this field.

Funding includes a UKRI stipend of £20,780 per year for three years, full tuition fees at the Home rate, and bench fees. International applicants are welcome but must pay the difference between International and Home fees; visa and associated costs are not covered. The studentship also requires up to 6 hours of teaching per week during semester time, including preparation and marking, and participation in a teaching skills course.

Eligibility criteria include a UK Bachelor’s Degree with at least a 2:1 (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant subject. International/EU applicants must provide a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0 and no score below 6.0, issued within the last 2 years. Applicants must evidence their ability to pay the fee difference if applying as an international student.

The application deadline is 20 February 2025, with interviews to be confirmed online. The programme is set to start in September 2026. For further information on the application process, contact [email protected] or visit the university's international student advice page. Programme-specific queries can be directed to Professor Jonathan Tammam at [email protected].

This studentship is ideal for candidates passionate about nutrition, public health, and social justice, seeking to make a meaningful impact through research and policy development.