Nottingham’s universities invite local residents with life and skills experiences to apply for community-focused PhD projects

The Co(l)laboratory programme, part of the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement, is an eight-year ambitious project which aims to bring together academia and the community to support growth and development within communities, broaden prospects, drive change, and improve wellbeing.

The PhDs have been created to solve real-life problems in the community, designed following input from researchers and those involved in community organisations.

Applications are open now, and the project team is looking for individuals who don’t necessarily have a standard academic background; those with experience and passion for creating positive change in the community are invited to apply. Successful applicants will undertake a paid, three-year period of research on the fully funded Doctoral Training Programme, resulting in a PhD qualification.

Rebekah Smith McGloin, Director of Research Culture and Environment at Nottingham Trent University said: “One year into our Co(l)lab programme, and it’s really exciting to see the passion and appetite from our doctoral researchers to make real, long-lasting change. People who thought that perhaps university or a PhD wasn’t for them are absolutely thriving in an academic environment, and the opportunities that are now open to them are truly life-changing. 
“We’re excited to embark on the next application cycle, and welcome applicants from all walks of life. We really encourage people to look at what projects are on offer, and if it resonates with them, please do get in touch to find out more.”

Professor Paul Grainge, University of Nottingham Academic Lead for the Co(l)laboratory Programme, said:  “The range of projects on offer this year, developed in collaboration with dynamic local partners and organisations, point to the diverse challenges, needs and aspirations that Co(l)lab is addressing within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The projects speak to pressing issues and draw on a wide range of approaches that encompass arts, education, health, social sciences, transport, microbiology, energy and the  built environment. This breadth of Co(l)lab and the significance of bringing very different projects and place-led challenges together is what makes the programme truly inspiring”.

The PhD projects available explore challenges such as:

• Untangling employment-related support, barriers, and outcomes for homeless and vulnerable people living in supported accommodation in Nottingham.
• Exploring new models of primary care to address health inequalities in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
• Pathways to Net Zero: Assessing the technical potential for community adoption of decentralized energy in Chetwynd
• Advancing sustainable transportation in Nottingham: Towards inclusive and safer micromobility for all.
• Language in Nottingham and the region: celebrating language as intangible cultural heritage.
• What’s in our river?: Understanding the microbiology of Nottingham recreational bathing waters.
• Exploring how immersive educational programming for young people can empower and promote water sustainability and a carbon-neutral Nottingham
• How large-scale DIY retrofitting can help reduce household emissions: a case study of the Nottingham Green Meadows project
• Improving Nottingham children’s Mental Health through School-based Music and Dance Programmes
• Improving antenatal education for disadvantaged people in Nottingham by addressing place-based inclusivity and wellbeing.

Applications close on Friday 15 December 2023, and anyone interested in applying is welcome to attend a face-to-face or online information session to find out more:

Information Webinars (link will be available here): 

5pm-6pm, Wednesday 8 November 2023

12pm-1pm, Thursday 16 November 2023

5pm-6pm, Tuesday 21 November 2023

12pm-1pm, Wednesday 29 November 2023

Face-to-Face Drop In Sessions:

10am-6pm, Monday 20 November 2023

10am-6pm, Tuesday 28 November 2023

Venue: The Carousel co-working space, 25 Hockley, Nottingham, NG1 1FH

Queries about the studentships should be directed to the Co(l)laboratory team at collaboratory@universitiesfornottingham.ac.uk. More information on the Co(l)laboratory PhD Studentship, how to apply and a full list of projects can be found here.

Co(l)laboratory is part of the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement. A collaboration between Nottingham’s two world-class universities and eight key anchor institutions (including the local healthcare trusts, integrated care system, the city and county councils, the local enterprise partnership and Vision West Nottinghamshire College); the agreement sets out partners’ commitment to working across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, for the benefit of our people and place.

The project is funded by Research England as well as both Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham.