Centre-UB PhD studentships are co-produced by a non-academic partner and an academic supervisory team. Several of our partners want to connect with academics to co-produce studentships. Centre-UB studentships can only be co-produced by a partner organisation and University of Birmingham academics, however, we are keen to share the research interests of our partners more broadly with other academics.
Please see below the expressions of interest submitted by our partner organisations, who are interested in partnering with University of Birmingham academics to co-develop a PhD studentship proposal:
Contact Name: Helen Roberts
Email Address: [email protected]
The Met Office’s purpose is ‘helping people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive’. A weather forecast or warning is of no value if appropriate decisions are not made and actions are not taken.
Behavioural science is required to ensure our weather and climate information is used and useful. Areas of particular interest are:
- using imagery in weather warnings
- weather warning response
- impact advice optimisation
- impact of false alarms versus misses
Contact Name: Alice Wootton
Email Address: [email protected]
We are interested in an evidence review to identify which behavioural interventions are most effective in reducing foodborne diseases in the UK. E.g. [Types of] behavioural interventions to reduce [different FBDs] are [highly/moderately/not very] effective in [these settings] based on a [high/moderate/low] volume of [high/moderate/low] quality evidence.
Contact Name: Tony Craig
Email Address: [email protected]
Area of Interest: The Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences (SEGS) department of the James Hutton Institute conducts critical and engaged social science, and is one of the largest and well-regarded interdisciplinary environmental social science departments in the UK. We have a strong portfolio of policy-focussed research, and aim to provide high quality social scientific evidence to help policymakers have a good foundation of independent academic knowledge to build on.
We have a particular interest in understanding pro-environmental behaviour, and behaviour change, and would be happy to discuss any proposals in this broad area. Example areas of interest include:
Designing pro-environmental behaviour interventions based on social scientific evidence
Multi-level and interdisciplinary approaches to environmental behaviour change
Use of computer simulation models (such as agent based models) to understand the dynamics of behaviour change
Understanding how physical, social and temporal factors influence pro-environmental behaviours
Contact Name: Mariella Marzano
Email Address: [email protected]
Area of Interest: Land manager behaviours, climate change, forest disturbance, plant health, wellbeing, wildlife management and applied environmental social science.
Contact Name: Dr Rosalind Baker-Frampton
Email Address: [email protected]
Area of Interest: Gambling; gambling harm; gambling harm treatment; women and harmful gambling; menstrual cycle and its effects on gambling harm; adverse childhood events and gambling harm
Contact Name: Dr. Carolyn Lovell
Email Address: [email protected]
Areas of Interest:
- Women in the CJS and Women who offend
- Nature and prevalence of online VAWG particularly emerging threats such as impact of generative AI
- Relationship between online and offline VAWG and extent of overlap with perpetrators/victims
- Whether digital evidence can mitigate some of the challenges of reliance on victim testimony in VAWG cases?
- Effectiveness of non-CJ interventions in reducing revictimization in VAWG (particularly DA and stalking & harassment)
- Also please see our ARI via https://science.police.uk/site/assets/files/4138/npcc_policing_aris_report-1.pdf
Contact Name: Dr. Georgie Gnan
Email Address: [email protected]
At Youmi (https://www.youmisupport.com), our mission is to develop and evaluate an innovative approach to supporting the families, friends, and partners of individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. Our focus is on informal carers; those offering day-to-day support without professional training, helping them build practical skills to support their loved one’s mental health, while also prioritising their own wellbeing. We are creating a comprehensive, multicomponent digital support platform, powered by Machine Learning and Generative AI. The platform will provide clear, tailored, and actionable guidance based on the specific needs of each user. Central to our approach is research into how people can most effectively support someone experiencing common mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. This research will be co-designed and co-produced with both clinicians and individuals with lived experience – both of mental health problems and of supporting others. These contributors will be embedded in the research team and actively involved in the governance, delivery, and strategic direction of the Youmi programme. We are seeking partnerships to co-develop a PhD studentship or support a fellowship application. We are particularly interested in collaborating with researchers focused on understanding behaviour, social support, digital mental health, caregiving, co-production and applied AI. At Youmi, we are committed to cross-sector and cross-community collaboration, aiming to generate insights and solutions that are not only evidence-based but also truly practical in the real world. We are also eager to build a two-way relationship with Centre-UB, as part of our broader ambition to strengthen ties between academia and industry. We welcome opportunities to support the centre’s existing training programmes or contribute in other ways, such as sharing industry insights or delivering sessions on product and technology development, reflecting our commitment to a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge.
Please see below the expressions of interest submitted by our academics, who are interested in partnering with a partner organisation to codevelop a PhD studentship proposal:
Email Address: [email protected]
My research focuses on understanding how emerging technologies—such as big data analytics, social media, and artificial intelligence—shape organisations’ operations, innovation management, and sustainable supply chain management. I have extensive experience in mixed-method research, with publications using both qualitative and quantitative approaches, including surveys, case studies, secondary data analysis, analytical modelling, and lab-based experiments. My work often bridges theory and practice, engaging with industry partners to ensure real-world impact. More details on my profile and publications can be found on my webpage: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/business/zhan-yuanzhu. Proposed Research Idea: I am interested in developing a PhD studentship or fellowship application that explores how AI-enabled decision-support systems can drive sustainable practices through influencing human behaviour in organisations and supply chains. While AI has the potential to optimise resource allocation and reduce environmental impact, its success depends on how managers and other decision-makers perceive, trust, and adopt these tools. The project could address questions such as: How do behavioural biases and trust dynamics affect the adoption and effective use of AI in sustainability-focused decisions? Can AI-generated recommendations be designed to facilitate decision-makers toward more sustainable choices without compromising operational performance? How do transparency and explainability in AI outputs shape user engagement and sustainability outcomes? The study aims to contribute to theory on technology adoption, behavioural operations, and sustainable supply chain management, while offering actionable policy and design guidelines for industry.
Email Address: [email protected]
I am generally interested in the intersection of forensic and clinical psychology, with research expertise in sexual violence (including male-on-male sexual assault and offences in the context of chemsex), non-consensual intimate image sharing, and the prevalence, correlates, and impact of child abuse and neglect. My work frequently explores the social, psychological, and systemic factors influencing vulnerability, victimisation, and justice outcomes within these domains. I adopt a multi-method approach, employing quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method designs to address complex research questions. Recent projects have included modelling the cumulative impact of adverse childhood experiences on health outcomes, examining attrition in sexual offence investigations, and exploring attitudes toward victims of sexual violence across diverse populations. I am particularly interested in how extra-legal and attitudinal factors shape investigative practices and legal outcomes, and in developing evidence-based interventions that reduce harm and improve service responses for victims and survivors. My research extends to the evaluation of policy and practice innovations in child protection, early childhood development, and violence prevention. I have led and co-led large-scale applied research initiatives in partnership with government bodies, law enforcement, and health authorities in the UK and internationally, with a strong focus on translating findings into practice and policy impact. Broadly, my work is grounded in developmental and social-ecological perspectives, seeking to understand how early adversity, mental health, and contextual factors interact to influence risk and resilience across the lifespan. By integrating rigorous research with applied partnerships, I aim to inform the design of effective interventions, support systems, and governance frameworks that enhance protection, promote wellbeing, and deliver justice for vulnerable individuals and communities.
Email Address: [email protected]
Area of Interest: I am an academic in Public Health at the University of Birmingham with expertise in health communication, digital health, social marketing, and behaviour change. My research focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating communication interventions that promote healthy behaviours and improve access to services, particularly among underserved and vulnerable populations. I am especially interested in the development and assessment of digital public health campaigns, including those using mobile apps, social media, chatbots, and AI-powered tools to engage communities in preventive health behaviours. My work often involves user-centred and participatory design, implementation science approaches, and mixed methods evaluations. I have applied these methods in projects on topics such as family planning, asthma management, patient portal use, and mental health—often in complex or resource-constrained settings such as the MENA region or within the UK’s public health system. I welcome collaborations with partner organisations, charities, local authorities, or fellows interested in digital health interventions, communication for behaviour change, or public engagement strategies. I am particularly keen to support PhD or fellowship applications focused on improving the design and impact of digital campaigns addressing topics such as vaccination uptake, air quality and respiratory health, NCD prevention, or health literacy.
Email Address: [email protected]
Area of Interest: We’re interested in exploring new, inclusive approaches to promote everyday physical activity among wheelchair users, who are often underserved by traditional exercise programmes. Our research focuses on investigating lifestyle-based activity patterns and their potential health benefits, particularly in populations with limited mobility (e.g., wheelchair users). We are looking for organisations working in health behaviour change, digital health, or wearable technologies to co-develop a PhD studentship application. We would welcome discussions with organisations interested in collaborative work in this area.
Email Address: [email protected]
Area of Interest: My broad area of expertise is applied cognitive psychology, with a focus on forensic applications, such as police identification parades, supporting vulnerable victims or witnesses of crime to report their best evidence. I conduct vigorous basic science work to understand the underlying memory mechanisms, but also translate this in applied work to provide a knowledge-base to develop evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice. For example, I work closely with The National VIPER Bureau (on identity parades), and other police forces nationally. My research has been used for police training and included in White papers and policy recommendations.
Email Address: [email protected]
Area of Interest: My research interests span a wide range of topics in the intersections of analysis, applied probability, computational mathematics and evolutionary game theory. Most of my research are inspired from applications in statistical physics and biological/social/material sciences. My research often combines mathematical rigour and computer simulations.
Email Address: d.england@bham-ac-uk
Area of Interest: The Action Research Network (ARN) is a collaborative network of research practitioners that brings together educators across the UAE through a series of structured workshops, online resources, and professional networking opportunities, culminating in a conference to share best practice and knowledge generated to enhance education through research. The ARN has been ongoing since 2022 and to date and has supported nearly 500 educators across over 100 schools in the UAE, with recent expansion in India and Malaysia. Action Research, as defined by McNiff (2017), is a process conducted by educators for educators. It allows practitioners to assess, reflect on, and improve their teaching approaches by designing and implementing interventions tailored to their specific classroom or school context. Literature consistently highlights the effectiveness of Action Research in promoting teacher agencies, professional growth, and improved student outcomes (Lambirth, et al., 2021). It is particularly powerful in complex, fast-changing environments like education, and in understanding culturally and contextually specific needs in education (Mertler, 2024) where localized and timely responses are critical. The ARN contributes to innovations in educational methodologies to evaluate impact, particularly for communities of practice. Traditional mixed-methods research includes capturing surveys, interviews, social and traditional media impact tracking, and resource engagement indicators to analyse the value of intervention against the Wenger, Trayner, and De Laat’s (2011) framework for value creation in communities of practice. While these approaches assess impact of the intervention through self-report and individual engagement, Social Network Analysis allows for a comparative view of the value added by engaging with the network across wider Educational communities including the school the participant works in and across sustained periods of impact well past participation in the network. The Action Research Network is a joint effort with scholars in the UAE, UK, and with local and international Education partners, and we are always open to expanding impact, outreach and opportunities to engage globally. More information can be found here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/dubai/departments/education/action-research-network
Email Address: [email protected]
Area of Interest: My research integrates assessment of patient perceptions and treatment preferences into the development of patient-centred interventions to improve outcomes for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Our case study for IMI-PREFER (www.imi-prefer.eu/) on preferences for preventive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is being integrated into clinical trial design and directly informed international recommendations which are shaping regulatory policy at a global level. Ongoing studies using qualitative and quantitative choice-based techniques include assessment of patient and clinician preferences for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s disease and lupus nephritis, working closely with patient research partners as collaborators. I am academic lead for the University of Birmingham Rheumatology Research Patient Partnership (http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/r2p2), supporting patient and public involvement across the research activities of the Rheumatology Research Group in the Department of Inflammation and Ageing. Potential PhD studentships include, but are not limited to: [1] Understanding patient and clinician preferences for treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis; [2] Assessment of patient preferences for risks and benefits of treatments for lupus nephritis; [3] Development of clinical decision support tools to facilitate shared decision making; and [4] Impact of health literacy interventions on treatment decision making
Email Address: [email protected]
Area of Interest: I study how the human hand is controlled by the brain, nerves, and muscles. I mostly focus on very rapid reflex-like behaviours, and the sensory and movement contexts that affect these reflexes during behaviour. I record electrical responses from muscles and I stimulate nerves, muscles and the brain using electrical and magnetic stimulation. The work is mostly at the fundamental level of understanding the brain, but has potential application in sports, rehabilitation, ergonomics, psychology and robotics.
Email Address: j.tang.2@bham-ac-uk
Area of Interest: Agent-based models (ABMs) are powerful computational tools used to simulate and study complex systems in various fields such as social science, epidemiology, and economics. These models rely on individual agents and their interactions to capture emergent phenomena that cannot be understood through traditional analytical approaches. However, the effectiveness and validity of ABMs depend heavily on selecting appropriate model parameters as nonlinear inverse problems—a challenging task due to the high-dimensional, non-linear, and often stochastic nature of these models. The proposed PhD / Postdoc project aims to develop efficient optimization algorithms for parameter selection in ABMs, via designing tailored sketching schemes for dimensionality reduction, and Learning-to-Optimize schemes, which leverage deep neural networks to learn the structure of the underlying optimization problem for numerical acceleration.
Academics considering partnering with UK Government can also stay abreast of current Areas of Research Interest by visiting Go-Science’s website.