PhD Studentship in Social Care and Education Outcomes Framework at University of Chester University of Chester in United Kingdom

Fully funded PhD studentship at the University of Chester in collaboration with David Lewis, a Cheshire-based not-for-profit provider of education, adult social care, and health services. The project is titled “Developing a Quality and Outcomes Framework for Not-for-Profit Campus Adult Social Care and Education Providers.”

This is a research opportunity for candidates interested in social care, public health, education, ageing and mental health, research ethics, and service evaluation. The project will work with David Lewis as the lead provider and with other similar providers across England, including Linkage Community Services, Norwood, Aspens, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Camphill Village Trust, and Henshaws.

The research will explore topics such as safeguarding practice, least restrictive care, clinical and therapeutic input to service delivery, experience and wellbeing of supported people, community engagement and participation, and the role of green/open spaces and biophilia. Supervisory team: Professor Paul Kingston, Dr Matt Bowen, and Dr Louise Taylor, all at the University of Chester.

Funding includes UK tuition fees for up to 3 years and a stipend starting at £21,549 in year one, with annual inflationary increases. Applicants should normally hold or expect to obtain at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. The opportunity is open to UK and EU applicants; international applicants requiring a visa cannot be considered because of visa and funding deadlines.

Deadline: Sunday 21 June 2026, 11:59pm. Apply online via the University of Chester admissions system using reference CMS26-02 and include two referees. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Professor Paul Kingston at [email protected] before applying.