Oxford Brookes University
6 days ago
PhD Studentship in BMI-Based Exclusion from Fertility Treatment and Ethnographic Study Oxford Brookes University in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Anthropology
Funding
3-year full-time PhD studentship. The stipend is at the UKRI rate (current 2026/27 bursary rate £21,805 p.a.). The studentship covers stipend, tuition fees, and bench fees. Funding is subject to confirmation.
Deadline
Sep 30, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
Oxford Brookes University

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About this position
PhD studentship at Oxford Brookes University on BMI-based exclusion from fertility treatment, using an ethnographic approach to study how women experience and navigate access restrictions in fertility care.
The project is based in the Oxford Institute of Applied Health Research / Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery and examines how BMI eligibility criteria shape access to NHS and private fertility treatment, with attention to stigma, reproductive autonomy, care perceptions, and socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities.
Research methods include participant observation, semi-structured interviews with affected women and healthcare staff, and policy document analysis across NHS and private fertility clinics, weight management services, and community settings.
Funding: 3-year full-time studentship with stipend at the UKRI rate (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27), plus tuition fees and bench fees covered. Funding is subject to confirmation.
Eligibility: UK Home/Settled and Pre-settled applicants are eligible. Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a UK 2:1 degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. International/EU applicants are mentioned in the English-language requirements, which specify IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 overall with no score below 6.0 (or equivalent), issued within the last 2 years.
Deadline: 30 September 2026. Interviews are expected online in November 2026, with a start date of 18 January 2027.
Supervision: Director of Studies Dr Ginny Mounce; supervisors Dr Nerys Astbury (University of Oxford) and Dr Pedro Melo (Oxford University Hospitals/TFP Fertility).
Funding details
3-year full-time PhD studentship. The stipend is at the UKRI rate (current 2026/27 bursary rate £21,805 p.a.). The studentship covers stipend, tuition fees, and bench fees. Funding is subject to confirmation.
What's required
Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor’s degree at 2:1 or higher, or an overseas equivalent, in a relevant academic subject. International/EU applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic certificate or equivalent with an overall score of 6.5 to 7.0 and no component below 6.0, issued within the last 2 years by an approved test centre. The studentship also requires up to 6 hours of teaching per week on average during semester time, including preparation and marking, and participation in a teaching skills course.
How to apply
Contact [email protected] for information on how to apply. Use the jobs.ac.uk application link to view or apply, and direct project enquiries to Dr Ginny Mounce at [email protected].
More information can be found here
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