Very brief, scalable interventions to promote physical activity and/or healthy eating

Start Date: October 2016

Closes: 4^th April 2016, 5pm

No. of positions available: 1

Supervisor: Dr Wendy Hardeman

Project description:
Many common, expensive long term conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes) can be prevented, or future problems delayed, by adopting healthy behaviours (e.g., a physically active lifestyle). However, most people do not meet recommendations. Very brief behaviour change interventions (less than five minutes) in primary care or the community could improve public health. They can reach many people, and require relatively little time, training and resources. They include very brief, face-to-face behaviour change advice or signposting interventions, or interventions delivered through new technologies.

This studentship will develop and evaluate a very brief, scalable intervention to promote physical activity and/or dietary change. The objectives are to: (1) design a research proposal; (2) conduct a systematic review; (3) develop the proposed intervention; (3) conduct a feasibility study; and (4) undergo training in research skills, personal and career development.

According to the student’s interests and experience, the research may focus on different target behaviours (e.g., physical activity, dietary change, or both), target populations (apparently healthy, at risk of, or diagnosed with a long-term condition), settings (health care, community), and delivery modes (face-to-face, mobile technologies such as text-messaging and mobile phone applications).

Person specification:
We are seeking a student with a good first degree (at least 2:1) and preferably also a Masters in a related topic area (e.g., health psychology, public health, social science, research methods) or equivalent research experience. The student will have an interest in behaviour change interventions to improve health and well-being, relevant research methods and data analysis skills, and will be committed and self-directed.

Funding notes:
This PhD project is a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences funded studentship.  This studentship is funded for 3 years and comprises home/EU fees, an annual stipend of £14,057 and £1000 per annum to support research training.