Derek Kyte

PhD opportunity at the University of Worcester in the School of Psychology on enhancing mental health care in rural settings through electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) as part of the EMPOWER Study . This funded doctoral project explores how ePROMs can support equitable, timely, and more personalised mental health care for people with severe mental illness (SMI) in rural communities. The research is strongly oriented toward mental health , psychology , public health , rural health , and implementation science , with a focus on feasibility, acceptability, barriers and facilitators, patient outcomes, and sustainable integration into care pathways. The project will likely involve three phases: a scoping review of existing evidence, qualitative interviews and/or focus groups with people with lived experience, clinicians, service managers and other stakeholders, and a co-design and implementation planning stage to develop context-appropriate recommendations for rural mental health services. Depending on the successful candidate’s interests, there may also be opportunities for feasibility testing or implementation evaluation. Funding: full-time studentship for four years, including a tax-free bursary of £20,407 for 3 years, a fee waiver for 4 years, project-cost support, and equipment/software support. Eligibility and application: the advert asks for a personal statement in a specific format and directs applicants to the full PhD advert for entry requirements and interview details. The closing date is 18 September 2026 . Contact: Professor Derek Kyte, University of Worcester, [email protected].