PhD Studentship: Art as Intervention Exploring Creative Approaches to Promote Health Behaviour Change

The Centre for National Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviour (Centre-UB) is inviting applications for a Doctoral Studentship in association with our collaborative partner Birmingham City Council to start in October 2026.

This PhD project will evaluate how health organisations can work collaboratively with arts organisations to support impactful social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) and use creative methods to promote healthy behaviours. The researcher will combine qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to (1) evaluate current practices and priorities for health messaging in the city of Birmingham; (2) articulate key challenges and opportunities in using creative approaches to emphasise preventative activities to avoid health conditions; (3) identify how future campaigns could utilise creative methods to increase the reach and accessibility of public health information. The researcher will analyse outputs from existing campaigns, collate perspectives across user groups, and create materials that address core challenges.

The researcher will be based in the College of Arts and Law at the University of Birmingham and embedded within Birmingham City Council’s creative public health activities, particularly during key phases such as data collection, participatory workshops, and co-design activities. Training and support will be provided by academic supervisors and partner organisation staff. This includes supportive conversations with professionals in public health and cultural programming, guidance on ethical and participatory research methods, and opportunities to develop skills in stakeholder engagement, policy translation, and creative communication. The researcher will also benefit from informal learning through observing in the day-to-day activities of the Creative Health team and cultural partners. The structured and flexible model of engagement reflects the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the research.

We are looking for a highly talented and dedicated PhD student with a 1st class or 2:1 degree in the fields of English Literature, Creative Writing, Digital Media, Communications or related arts-based disciplines; we will also consider Psychology, Geography, Social Sciences, Liberal Arts. An MSc degree in a relevant area is desirable though not necessary.

Desirable Experience:
• Research skills: literature review, data collection and analysis (especially participatory research methods).
• Experience collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, such as organisations across the arts and culture sector, community organisations, public sector.
• Experience of community engagement, outreach and co-design.
• Understanding of public health e.g. health messaging, promoting health behaviours; arts, culture and heritage; using ‘arts and health’ approaches.
• Experience communicating complex information to a range of different audiences in written and verbal formats, such as report writing, presentations, blogs, social media.

To be considered for this PhD, please follow the instructions, click the 'Apply' button above. 

Application deadline: February 17 2026

Interviews for this studentship are expected to take place on March 6 2026.

Centre-UB studentships cover tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, support for research training, as well as research activity support grants. Due to funding stipulations set by UKRI, we are able to recruit up to 30% of international applicants to the cohort each year. You can find further details at https://www.centre-ub.org/studentships/call-for-applicants/

Informal enquiries about the project prior to application can be directed to Dorothy Butchard (d.butchard@bham.ac.uk).

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