PhD Studentship: Co-developing a model for community readiness in emergency response with emphasis on groups experiencing disproportionate health burden

Health threats often affect different population groups in unequal ways, exacerbating existing health disparities. When health threats occur, however, community-based organisations play a crucial role. Positioned at the grassroots level and operating from a foundation of trust, these organisations are uniquely equipped to engage specific communities and support the delivery of emergency responses. One useful approach to understanding and enhancing this capacity is through community readiness models—frameworks designed to assess how prepared a community is to address a particular public health issue.

This project aims to co-develop a community readiness model that places particular emphasis on groups experiencing a disproportionate burden of health challenges. Specifically, the project will: (i) identify available community readiness models and examples of community engagement during emergency response; (ii) explore experiences of organisations working with groups experiencing disproportionate health burden undertaking community engagement during emergency response; and (iii) co-develop an inclusive and equitable community readiness model.

The anticipated impact of this work is through leveraging the existing assets and activities within communities, and by recognising the unique access that certain organisations and individuals have with underserved populations. The resulting community readiness model could become a powerful tool for public health intervention. A readiness model developed in partnership with these stakeholders has the potential to reduce the unequal impacts of emergencies, mitigate health inequalities, and strengthen social cohesion.

This project is part the NIHR-funded Health Protection Research Unit for Emergency preparedness and response (EPR-HPRU), in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This studentship is funded by the NIHR as part of EPR-HPRU between the University of Birmingham and UKHSA. In addition to the extensive training offered to all PhD students at UoB, the student will receive training and opportunities at both UoB and UKHSA in this research area.

Funding notes:
This studentship includes UK fees, stipend, and research training and support costs. UoB studentships costs are based on UKRI rates.

References:
1. World Health Organisation. Engaging with communities in health emergencies: Building readiness, response and resilience. Available from: https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2024-7855-47623-70134 (Accessed May 2025)
2. Ellis Logan P, Rundblad G, Rogers MB, Amlôt R, Rubin GJ. Reducing health inequalities in disasters: A cross-sectional study of the viability of 'vulnerability' terminology and of priority lists in the UK. Public Health Pract (Oxf). 2024 Dec 20;9:100564. doi: 10.1016/j.puhip.2024.100564.
3. Taylor-Clark, K. A., Viswanath, K., & Blendon, R. J. (2010). Communication Inequalities During Public Health Disasters: Katrina’s Wake. Health Communication, 25(3), 221–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410231003698895

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