PhD Studentship NIHR Applied Research Collaboration; ARC): North East and North NENC): Researching Equity

100% of home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend (living expenses) of £21,805 (2026 – 27 UKRI rate). Significant additional funding given to cover research costs and travel.

This project will investigate equity, access and place-based-health, through a lens of enquiry around Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) to understand their impact in reducing health inequalities and supporting accessible, community-based care.

The project will be based in the North East of England and will explore CDC impact on individual and community-based levels. The researcher will utilise mixed methods to explore: (i) perspectives and impact of the CDCs for service users and healthcare staff (qualitative), as well as advanced statistical methods to explore: (ii) relationships/associations between CDC access and community and place-based health outcomes (quantitative).

The work will also involve knowledge mobilisation approaches to share the findings on a local and regional basis.

The researcher will work closely with a supervisory team that includes expertise of health inequalities, service access, equity diversity and inclusion, place-based-health and statistical analysis. Research inclusion will be embedded throughout, mainly through the close collaborative working with external partners (the Great North Healthcare Alliance) and public contributors across the North East of England. The project has been designed to include links to the NIHR Newcastle Patient Safety Research Collaboration and existing patient and public involvement and engagement groups so that the work is designed, conducted and disseminated in a way that is accessible and relevant.

All students will undertake an 8-week placement as part of their studies.

1

January 2027

3.5 years including placement. Part-time options available, please get in touch.

NIHR ARC: NENC

• Anna Robinson-Barella
• Adam Todd
• Luke Munford
• Martin Wilson
• Clare Bambra

Some existing knowledge of, and/or skills in, mixed methods (or qualitative and/or quantitative) research. Educated to masters level in a health-related topic (i.e., public health).

This studentship is only available to applicants with a Home fee status (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria).

Dr. Anna Robinson-Barell

Population Health Sciences

Newcastle University

Anna.robi

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£21,805 - please see advert