PhD Studentship: Multilevel Modelling of Intersectional Inequalities in Childhood Malnutrition in South Asia

ESRC DTP Strategic Joint Studentship

Loughborough University and University of Leicester

The Midlands Graduate School is an accredited Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). One of 15 such partnerships in the UK, the Midlands Graduate School is a collaboration between the Universities of Warwick, Birmingham, Nottingham, Aston Leicester, Loughborough, De Montfort and Nottingham Trent.

We are now inviting applications for an ESRC Strategic Joint Studentship between Loughborough University (where the student will be registered) and the University of Leicester to commence in October 2024.

Intersectionality theory describes the ways in which systems of discrimination/oppression are interdependent/interactive, producing inequalities that cannot be understood in isolation. Disparities (e.g., sociodemographic, geographical, and those related to maternal autonomy) in childhood malnutrition have been documented, but existing research has not considered the complex way in which the prevalence or odds (e.g., of childhood stunting) differs according to the combination of many variables/dimensions of inequity uniquely in different countries. The Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (MAIHDA) approach was recently developed to model such intersectional inequalities. This PhD will involve developing and applying the MAIHDA approach to Demographic and Health Surveys data from five South Asian countries to provide comprehensive, in-depth knowledge on intersectional inequalities in childhood malnutrition. The PhD is aligned with a current ESRC grant, on which Will Johnson is a co-investigator: https://intersectionalhealth.org/projects/esrc-maihda-project/.

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (e.g., social epidemiology) and a desire to become upskilled in advanced statistical analyses.

Application Process

To be considered for this PhD, please complete the strategic Joint Studentship application form available online here. Please upload an anonymised CV and cover letter as part of the online application process. Shortlisted applicants will also be required to provide transcripts and two references.

Application deadline: 8th September 2024

Interviews will be held on 16^th or 17^th September.

Midlands Graduate School ESRC DTP

Our ESRC studentships cover fees at the home rate, a maintenance stipend, and extensive support for research training, as well as research activity support grants. Support is available to students with home fee status only. To check your eligibility for home fee status, visit: www.mgsdtp.ac.uk/studentships/eligibility/.

Informal enquiries about the research or the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (Loughborough University) prior to application can be directed to Dr Will Johnson (W.O.Johnson@lboro.ac.uk).

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