PhD Studentship - An interdisciplinary Investigation of Multidimensional Food Insecurity and Nutrition in Community-dwelling Older People in Sheffield

In 2024, 24% of adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland experienced household food insecurity. Previous work suggests that older adults are vulnerable to food insecurity and insufficient nutrition, and foodbank use among pensioners quadrupled between 2018/19 and 2023/24. However, research on food insecurity has primarily considered its financial determinants, which may be less relevant to older adults, with some studies showing non-financial challenges to be the greater issue. Better understanding of food provisioning among older people is a crucial priority area for the project partner, Sheffield City Council.

Research has highlighted the impact of broader factors such as health and disability, mobility, frailty, transport, social isolation, housing, digital exclusion, and the capacity to shop and cook on food insecurity in older people. This WRDTP Collaborative studentship will investigate the comparative relevance of financial and wider risks of food insecurity among older people. Adequate nutrition is vital for healthy ageing, while food insecurity is associated with a lower likelihood of healthy ageing, increased functional limitations, and poor mental health.

Improved understanding of older people’s nutrition is relevant because one in five people in England were aged 65+ in 2023, and older adults are the fastest growing UK population group. Improving nutrition among older people will reduce demand for health and social care services, with tangible economic benefits. The project findings will enable Sheffield City Council to strengthen policy and support local services in diverse fields. The project will also generate crucial data to the literature for more broadly informing public health initiatives in the UK.

This PhD project will explore the following three research questions:

• What is the comparative relevance of financial and wider, potentially hidden, risks of food insecurity among older people in Sheffield?
• What factors protect older people in Sheffield against food insecurity?
• How do current services in Sheffield meet older people’s food and nutrition needs?

These research questions will be answered using primary mixed-methods data collection, including in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews with older people and key actors in the public and third sectors, ethnographic episodes, and a mapping exercise of the local public and third-sector service landscape. We are looking to appoint a student with relevant qualitative research experience and a meaningful interest in the research topic. The appointed student may have a background in the social sciences, nutrition, public health or other relevant discipline. We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and personable student with excellent interpersonal skills appropriate to working with vulnerable older people.

As part of the project, the student will complete a mandatory three-month Research in Practice placement. This will be arranged with the project partner, Sheffield City Council. The placement will enable the student to broaden their understanding of food insecurity in specific groups while developing key professional and collaborative skills.

How to Apply

Please apply through the University of Sheffield Postgraduate Application System.

We strongly recommend that applicants read the WRDTP guidance for applicants, assessment criteria and ESRC postgraduate funding guidelines before submitting their application.

You can only be nominated by one WRDTP university for a WRDTP Studentship. The student nominated for this award will be quality checked and approved by the WRDTP Academic Quality Committee prior to any studentship offer. As part of this separate WTDTP nomination process, you will complete a WRDTP Studentship Application Form.

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