Nottingham’s universities looking for local residents with life experiences to apply for community-focused PhD projects
Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham are inviting people from the local community to apply for paid, full-time PhD research projects that aim to improve the lives of communities across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
By Sarah McLeod | Published on 14 October 2024
Categories: Press office;
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: “Our Co(l)lab programme has been hailed as innovative, something no other universities have done before. We’re two years in – and we can see our doctoral researchers really making long-lasting change, not only to their own lives, but to the communities around them.
“We’re really excited about the topics for 2025 – we’ve created them in collaboration with local people, so we know that it’s something that has real value in real-life situations.
“If you are someone who wants to make a difference, but thinks that they aren’t the ‘right type’ of person to study a PhD, then you could be perfect for Co(l)lab. We’d encourage you to get in touch and find out more, and you never know where it might take you.”
Professor Paul Grainge, University of Nottingham Academic Lead for the Co(l)laboratory Programme, said: “It is always exciting to see the range of projects and community partners involved in the Co(l)laboratory programme. Every year, we learn more about the needs, challenges and opportunities of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire through PhD projects that seek to make a difference. From health and wellbeing, to energy, the environment, lived experience and inclusive growth, these topics have immediate relevance to communities in our city and region, and will enable a new researcher to join a truly diverse doctoral cohort.”
Topics for the 2025 Co(l)laboratory Studentship Scheme are:
- Improving health and wellbeing in Nottingham through improved understanding of the link between air pollution and health.
- Responding to post-diagnostic support needs for late-diagnosed autistic adults in Nottingham(shire)
- Establishing and evaluating a person-centred approach to supporting individuals living with cognitive impairments in Nottingham
- What are the benefits and challenges of volunteering for domestic violence and abuse (DVA) organisations for those with lived experience?
- Developing a community-led approach to inclusive growth in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
- Balancing Supply and Demand: Developing a Net Zero Energy Framework for Difficult-to-Retrofit Buildings in Nottinghamshire.
- Eating for Health : Addressing health inequality in Nottingham through improving food and nutrition.
- Improving recognition of autistic young people’s stress behaviours in mainstream and specialist Nottingham schools
- Scalable Virtual Power Plants: Supporting community energy systems in Nottinghamshire through innovation.
- Unravelling the challenges faced by refugees in Nottingham when accessing mental health support to enhance support and foster integration.
Applications close on Sunday, 8 December 2024, and anyone interested in applying is welcome to attend face-to-face or online information sessions to find out more:
Information webinars available to book:
- 12pm - 1pm, Wednesday 30 October 2024
- 5:30pm - 6:30pm, Wednesday 06 November 2024
- 12pm -1pm, Wednesday 13 November 2024
Drop-in session: Tuesday 19 November 2024, 10am - 6pm, The Carousel, 25 Hockley, Nottingham, NG1 1FH
Application workshops are also available to book online.
More information on the Co(l)laboratory PhD Studentship, how to apply and a full list of projects can be found here.
The project is funded by Research England as well as both Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham.
Notes for Editors
Press enquiries please contact Sarah McLeod, Corporate Communications Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8735, or via email.
About Universities for Nottingham
The Universities for Nottingham initiative is a pioneering collaboration which brings together the combined strength and civic missions of 11 anchor institutions from across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Working with local communities and partners we aim to improve levels of economic prosperity, educational opportunity, environmental sustainability and health and wellbeing for the benefit of our people and place.
As part of the response to the challenges we collectively face, the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement sets out our joint plans for the future working as a partnership.
Find out more at www.universitiesfornottingham.ac.uk #UnisForNottingham