The Health, Wellbeing and Society pathway brings together internationally recognised social scientists and practitioners who possess research and teaching strengths in the broad area of health, wellbeing and society – in particular the wider determinants of health, lifestyle behaviours, physical activity and mental wellbeing in contemporary society.
We use multi and interdisciplinary perspectives to help understand how to tackle grand challenges for health and wellbeing and draw on insights across a wide range of health-related social science (including public health, economics, health policy, psychology, anthropology, geography, sociology, social gerontology, social epidemiology, social work, social care and education).
Potential supervisors for projects in this pathway have expertise across a wide range of methodological approaches and cross-UKRI expertise, with grants from the ESRC and the AHRC, as well as bodies including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, British Council, UK Sport, and several governing bodies. They form part of the Bournemouth University Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC), which is led by the pathway lead, Professor Michael Silk.
Key information
Next start date:
September 2025 (detailed timeline for the process outline below)
Location:
Bournemouth University, Lansdowne Campus
Entry requirements:
Outstanding academic potential as measured normally by either a 1st class honours degree or equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA), or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent. If English is not your first language you’ll need IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent).
In addition, students wishing to undertake PhD only (+3 awards) must meet the ESRC criteria in terms of previous Master’s level study and should read the SWDTP Admissions Statement for further information.