PhD in Co-designing Active School Uniforms for Physical Activity and Public Health Loughborough University in United Kingdom

PhD opportunity at Loughborough University in the School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences on Co-designing Active School Uniforms.

This funded doctoral project explores how school uniforms can support young people to move more every day, using an equity-focused co-design approach with adolescents, schools, families, and industry partners. The research is centred on secondary school settings and aims to generate practical, inclusive, and evidence-informed solutions for more active school days.

Research focus: public health, physical activity, behavioural epidemiology, co-production research, implementation research, school-based research, and equity in adolescent health. The project will engage national stakeholders, develop principles for acceptable and affordable active uniform designs, and test feasibility, acceptability, implementation, and physical activity impact in diverse secondary schools.

Funding: fully funded UK PhD studentship. UK fees are covered; international fees are not applicable.

Eligibility: applicants should normally hold at least a 2:1 in a relevant subject such as Sport Sciences, Public Health, Human Biology, or related Social or Health Sciences. A good understanding of health-related behaviours and research methods is required. A relevant Master’s degree is desirable, and experience or interest in co-design, working with young people, or school-based research is an advantage.

Supervisors: Dr Natalie Pearson (primary supervisor) and Prof. Lauren Sherar (secondary supervisor).

Deadline: 22 May 2026. Start date: October 2026.

Apply online via the project page and submit your application before the deadline.