Nigel Groome PhD Studentship: Food, Nutrition, and Health in Female Prisoners: A Mixed-Methods Assessment of Dietary Sufficiency, Intervention, and Lived Experience

Oxford Brookes University

Faculty of Health, Science and Technology

School of Sport, Nutrition and Allied Health Professions

3 Year, full-time PhD studentship

Eligibility: Home UK/EU and International applicants

Bursary p.a: Stipend is at the UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for the academic year 2025/26)

University fees and bench fees: The studentship covers bench fees, stipend, and tuition fees at the Home rate only. International applicants will need to meet the difference between International fees and Home fees. Visa and associated costs are not funded. International applicants can visit https://www.brookes.ac.uk/students/isat/ for further information

Closing date: Friday 20 February 2026

Interviews: Tbc (online)

Start date:  September 2026

Project Title: Nigel Groome Studentship: Food, Nutrition, and Health in female prisoners: A mixed-methods assessment of dietary sufficiency, intervention, and lived experience

Director of Studies:  Professor Jonathan Tammam

Supervisors: Dr Shelly Coe and Ms Bethan Leach

Requirements:

Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor’s Degree 2:1 or higher (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant academic subject.

English language requirements:

International/EU applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.

Project Description:

This PhD offers an exceptional opportunity to address a critical public health challenge: improving the nutrition and health of female prisoners. Women in custody are highly vulnerable and face gender-specific unique dietary needs and elevated risk of poor mental and physical health, yet remain severely underrepresented in research. This project aligns with UK government priorities and has strong potential for policy impact. This project builds on our research and policy-influencing record in this field, and will generate robust data to strengthen the current evidence base to inform and reform food provision and consumption.  This research promises transformational benefits for female prisoner wellbeing, operational practices, and potentially wider social outcomes. 

The study adopts a mixed-methods approach across the three years.  A comprehensive quantitative analysis will assess total dietary intake from all food sources – meals provided, canteen bought items, and family contributions during visits – addressing an overdue gap in the evidence. Qualitative research will explore female prisoners’ lived experience and perceptions of food provision before and after menu standardisation.  An intervention trial evaluating the impact of vitamin D supplementation on health outcomes will be completed in order to replicate our research in male prisoners.  This rigorous programme involves close collaboration with HMPPS and MoJ colleagues, and combines advanced methodology with real-world application, ensuring high-quality evidence with potential for meaningful policy change

The studentship requires you to undertake the equivalent of up to 6 hrs of teaching per week on average, during semester time, and to include preparation and marking (but no more than 20 hrs per week), and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.

Application process Please contact hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk for information.

Programme queries: jtammam@brookes.ac.uk

Part time MPhil/PhD study will be exceptionally considered (Home Fee status applicants only).

If you are an international student, you will need to evidence your ability to pay course fees during the application process: we will discuss this with you when relevant.

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