The impact of climate change on the mental health of parents & carers-PhD (Funded) Ref: 5503
About the award
Supervisors
Primary supervisor
Secondary supervisors
Research Project Summary
The European Centre for Environment & Human Health (ECEHH) at the University of Exeter is inviting applications for a funded PhD studentship to commence on 22 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in the ECEHH in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
Project Description
The European Centre for Environment & Human Health (ECEHH) at the University of Exeter is inviting applications for a funded PhD studentship to commence on 22 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in the ECEHH in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
Climate change is a fundamental threat to human health. However, in particular the mental health impacts of climate change are understudied. This project will focus of parents / carers of young children to understand parental concern about climate change with a particular focus on overheating. Hot temperatures will lead to increased overheating in buildings which is particularly dangerous to young children. The research will establish to what extent parents are concerned about overheating and how it affects their own mental health. The student will also work with antenatal and postnatal care providers, e.g. midwives.
Data collection will be done through a combination of qualitative (e.g. interviews) and quantitative (e.g. surveys) measures, paired with deploying sensors in homes to understand the extent of overheating and possible ways of lowering temperatures.
The PhD studentship is suitable for a student with a background in psychology or health with a keen interest in climate change and its consequences.
The scholarship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 4 years full-time. The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit.
International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.
The studentship is offered within the European Centre for Environment and Human Health, a world-leading, transdisciplinary research and education centre informing the future health of the planet and people. The ECEHH is located on the beautiful Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
Entry requirements
Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of public health, psychology, social sciences or similar.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.
How to apply
To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents
• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)
• Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.
The closing date for applications is midnight on 15th April 2025.
Interviews will be held virtually on the 29th and 30th of April, 2025.
All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.
Summary
| Application deadline: | 15th April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Number of awards: | 1 |
| Value: | UK or International tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year |
| Duration of award: | per year |
| Contact: PGR Admissions Team | PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk |
