PhD Studentship in Climate Change and Healthy Ageing: Unravelling Perceptions and Impact of Climate Change Among Older People

Award summary

100% of home tuition fees paid and annual stipend (living expenses) of £19,237 from 24/25. Also a significant research training support grant of approx. £5000 per annum to cover research costs (e.g. data costs) and conferences.

Successful international candidates will be required to fund the difference between the home fees and international fees.

Overview

This project will focus on gaining a better understanding of the impact of climate hazards on healthy ageing. Older people are disproportionally affected by climate change. This is due to a heightened vulnerability of older individuals, stemming from physiological, social, and contextual factors. Older people have often been neglected in climate change impact studies. In combination with the interests of the selected student, a plan will be developed to generate evidence on the impact of climate change on healthy ageing and/or on perceptions of climate change among older people. Given that healthy ageing is a broad concept, the outcome could focus on its broad conceptualisation or on specific sub-domains. This could focus on generating epidemiological evidence on health impacts, using secondary data sources, including cohorts of ageing populations and/or electronic medical records datasets. Mixed-methods research, which may include conducting qualitative interviews with older adults, will be encouraged.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: September 2024.

Award duration: The funding covers a three-year PhD.

Application closing date: 1st May 2024

Sponsor: Newcastle University (NU Futures)

Name of supervisors

Professor Matthew Prina, Population Health Sciences institute (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/matthewprina.html )

Dr Yu-Tzu Wu, Population Health Sciences Institute (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/yu-tzuwu.html )

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should possess a minimum 2:1 degree in epidemiology, statistics, public health, human geography, psychology or a related field that includes a substantial quantitative analysis component. While a Master's degree in a relevant subject with Merit or higher is preferred, it is not mandatory. Candidates must be eager to develop advanced epidemiological skills in the field of climate change impact. A keen interest in healthy ageing is crucial. Experience with at least one statistical software (e.g., Stata, R, etc.) is required. If your first language is not English you need an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (at least 5.5 in all sub-skills) or equivalent language qualification.

How to apply

Please see https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/fees-funding/search-funding/?code=ph037 for more details.

Contact Details

For further details, please contact:

Professor Matthew Prina

Population Health Sciences Institute

E-mail: [email protected]