Transforming Lives PhD Scholarship: Measuring the Impact of the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector on Local Outcomes Including Physical Activity Sheffield Hallam University in United Kingdom

Sheffield Hallam University invites applications for a Transforming Lives PhD scholarship in the School of Health and Social Care, commencing May 2026. This fully funded opportunity covers home PhD fees and provides a generous annual stipend at the Living Wage Foundation rate (£22,152 for 2025/26, increasing annually). The scholarship is open to Home, EU, and International applicants, but international/EU students must self-fund the fee shortfall (currently around £12,700 per year).

The project, titled "Measuring what matters: capturing the impact of the voluntary, community and faith sector on local outcomes including physical activity," addresses the challenge of evaluating the nuanced contributions of voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise organisations (VCFSE) to local health and wellbeing. Traditional surveys often fail to capture the complexity of these interactions, which are highly contextual and relational. This PhD will pioneer the use of voice notes and audio reflections for organic, inclusive data capture, ensuring authentic representation of lived experiences, especially from underrepresented groups.

The successful candidate will apply artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP) to transform large-scale qualitative data into structured insights. A realist evaluation framework will be used to understand how and why impacts occur in different contexts. The ultimate goal is to develop a weighted composite measure—a scalable, policy-ready metric for use by local and national bodies in commissioning, resource allocation, and recognition of VCFS contributions. This approach aligns with place-based, whole-systems principles, bridging qualitative narratives and quantitative evidence for policymakers.

The project is closely linked to Sport England’s National Evaluation and Learning Partnership and the Centre for Collaboration in Community Connectedness, providing access to networks, expertise, and strategic stakeholders. The supervisory team includes Dr. Katie Shearn (global leader in realist evaluation and systems approaches for public health inequalities), Professor Chris Dayson (expert in evaluating VCFS contributions to health and wellbeing, social prescribing, and creative health), and Dr. Gregor Milligan (specialist in AI, machine learning, and NLP for social and health challenges).

Applicants should hold a BSc (1st or 2:1 honours degree or equivalent) in public health, sports development, community development, voluntary sector management, or a related discipline, or have relevant equivalent experience. An MSc in a related area and experience working with human participants are desirable. Outstanding candidates from other backgrounds may be considered. All applicants from countries not on the UKVI exemption list must provide an IELTS qualification (minimum overall score of 7, with at least 6.5 in all areas, taken within the last two years). The university encourages applications from diverse groups, including LGBTQIA+, BAME, and disabled communities.

To apply, complete the online application form and upload a 1,500-word research proposal addressing the project title, two academic references (dated within the last 2 years), highest degree certificate, passport copy, and IELTS results (if applicable). Add the project title in the personal statement field. The deadline for applications is 16 February 2026 (12 noon UK time). Interviews will be held online in the week commencing 2 March 2026. For further information, contact Dr. Katie Shearn at [email protected] or the Health-PGR admissions team at [email protected].