Publisher
source

Newcastle University

PhD Studentship in Neurodivergent Parents’ Perinatal Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing at Newcastle University Newcastle University in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Participatory Action Research

Funding

100% of home tuition fees are paid, with an annual stipend of £21,805 (2026–27 UKRI rate). Additional funding is provided for research costs and travel. Award duration is 3.5 years including an 8-week placement; part-time options are available.

Deadline

Oct 20, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

Newcastle University

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Keywords

Participatory Action Research
Sociology
Psychology
Medical Science
Salud Pública
Neurodiversity
Co-production

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About this position

Newcastle University is advertising a PhD studentship within the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC): North East and North Cumbria (NENC) on creating safe spaces to support neurodivergent parents’ perinatal mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.

The project sits at the intersection of public health, psychology, sociology, and medical science, with a strong emphasis on neurodiversity, perinatal mental health, psychosocial wellbeing, co-production, and participatory research. The proposed PhD will examine neurodivergent parents’ and parents-to-be’s experiences of perinatal mental illness, access to treatment and support, and the co-production of family-friendly interventions for prevention and early intervention. The work is explicitly intersectionality-informed and may involve qualitative, creative, and/or quantitative methods, including interviews, ethnography, photovoice, participatory mapping, and early economic analysis.

Funding includes 100% home tuition fees, an annual stipend of £21,805 (2026–27 UKRI rate), plus additional support for research costs and travel. The award lasts 3.5 years and includes an 8-week placement; part-time study may be possible.

Eligibility requires at least a 2:1 bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in a relevant social or health sciences subject, or equivalent professional experience. Applicants should have an interest in or experience with health and social care research, and those interested in co-production or participatory action research are especially encouraged. The studentship is limited to applicants with Home fee status (including UK and eligible EU applicants with settled/pre-settled status and residency criteria).

Applications must be submitted through the Apply to Newcastle Portal. In the portal, search for the postgraduate research course, select PhD Population Health Sciences (FT), and enter the studentship reference ARC5. Upload a personal statement, and optionally a covering letter and CV. A research proposal is not required.

Supervision/contact is listed with Dr Ryc Aquino (Population Health Sciences, Newcastle University), and the contact email provided is [email protected]. Deadline: 20 October 2026.

Funding details

100% of home tuition fees are paid, with an annual stipend of £21,805 (2026–27 UKRI rate). Additional funding is provided for research costs and travel. Award duration is 3.5 years including an 8-week placement; part-time options are available.

What's required

Applicants need at least an upper second-class honours (2:1) bachelor's degree and a master's degree in a relevant social or health sciences subject, or equivalent professional experience. An interest in or experience with health and social care research is required, and applications from those interested in co-production and/or participatory action research are encouraged. This studentship is only available to applicants with Home fee status, including UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status who meet residency criteria.

How to apply

Apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal. Search for the relevant postgraduate research course, select PhD Population Health Sciences, and enter studentship reference ARC5. Upload a personal statement or document, and include a covering letter and CV if desired. Use the project title from the advert and note that a research proposal is not required.

More information can be found here

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