ESRC DTP Strategic Joint Studentship: Understanding the Relationship Between Housing Inequality and Wellbeing

The Midlands Graduate School is now inviting applications for an ESRC Strategic Joint Studentship between Loughborough University (where the student will be registered) and the University of Nottingham to commence in October 2026.

Project overview

This project investigates how housing inequalities spatially structure wellbeing in cities. It begins from the premise that where we live — and the property regimes, governance structures, and environmental conditions that define those places — profoundly influence our capacity to lead active, healthy, and socially connected lives. Housing is not a neutral good: its affordability, quality, and location are conditioned by income, wealth, policy, and politics, which determine who can access neighbourhoods that are well-connected, safe, and environmentally sustainable. The project will explore the idea that housing is a spatial and political mediator of wellbeing inequality and examine how it is linked to a wellbeing in cities undergoing rapid social and ecological change. The research combines critical advanced quantitative spatial analysis with qualitative and participatory approaches to connect structural inequalities with lived experience.

Indicative research questions include:

•  How do housing affordability and quality shape the spatial distribution of wellbeing across cities?
•  What forms of urban policy, advocacy, and design could help close the wellbeing equity gap related to housing inequalities?

Methodological approach

The project suggests a mixed-methods design. Quantitatively, the student will work with large and complex datasets — including administrative housing data, environmental indicators, and accessibility metrics — and apply advanced spatial methods such as multilevel modelling and geographically weighted regression to identify relevant mechanisms. This will provide training in advanced quantitative methods, spatial data integration, uncertainty assessment, and reproducible coding in R or Python. Qualitatively, the project will use participatory and counter-cartographic methods, including mental mapping and co-design workshops with residents in selected neighbourhoods in Loughborough and/or Nottingham. These approaches will learn from lived experiences of housing and empower residents to articulate alternative spatial imaginaries of liveable and just urban futures.

For additional project details please visit https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mgsdtp/collaborativeandjoint/#joint

Training environment and supervision

The student will be jointly supervised by Trivik Verma and Elsa Noterman, drawing on complementary expertise in spatial data science, urban inequality, housing governance, and participatory research. Training will include MGS Advanced Quantitative Methods, alongside engagement with national data infrastructures and local authority partners, within supportive research environments at both institutions.

Application Process

To be considered for this PhD, please complete the Strategic Joint Studentship application form available online via the 'Apply' button above. Applicants will be required to upload an anonymised CV, anonymised cover letter detailing your interest, motivation, and skills, and transcripts as part of the online application process. If cover letter is written using an LLM but does not really inform us of suitability or interest/motivation in the position, your application will likely be rejected.

Application deadline: Friday, 20^th Feb 2026, 1700 GMT. Interviews will be conducted between 9-13 Feb 2026, online.

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 both home and international applicants. For further details, visit: www.mgsdtp.ac.uk/studentships/eligibility/.

Informal enquiries about the research or Department of Geography and environment at Loughborough University prior to application can be directed to Prof Trivik Verma at t.verma[at]lboro[dot]ac[dot]uk. Please only email if you have specific questions.

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