PhD Studentship - Examining the High-Performance Environment in Aquatics GB - A Qualitative Co-Produced Study

This studentship offers a rare and exciting opportunity to undertake applied research within an elite performance sport setting in partnership with Aquatics GB.

Aligned with Aquatics GB’s vision to be at the forefront of supporting female performance, the project will explore how female high-performance environments across Aquatics GB (e.g., Olympic swimming, Paralympic swimming, diving, and artistic swimming) are created, experienced, and sustained by athletes, coaches, and senior leaders, and how they can be strengthened through evidence-informed approaches that enable female athletes to thrive.

Based at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport, you will work closely with Aquatics GB practitioners to deliver a qualitative study involving interviews, observations, surveys, and organisational analysis. You will gain privileged access to world-class sport environments and contribute high-quality research that directly informs policy, practice, and coach education.

You will develop advanced skills in qualitative research, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge exchange, alongside being supported to publish in leading journals and present at conferences. You will also benefit from a vibrant and inclusive doctoral community with excellent facilities, training, and professional development opportunities.

Project aims and objectives

The project will adopt a co-produced, qualitative, multi-method approach to:

• Explore the lived experiences of female athletes, coaches, and senior leaders across aquatic disciplines and stages of the performance pathway, with particular attention to elite contexts.
• Examine how organisational policies, cultures, performance structures, and social relations shape everyday practice and support or constrain high-level performance.
• Co-develop evidence-informed, female-centred approaches to creating high-performance environments in which athletes can thrive.
• Co-develop recommendations to support Aquatics GB in strengthening its intentions, initiatives, and policies relating to gender balance, equality, and opportunities for women.

Funding

Only home students can apply. Tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3.5-year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27.

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27.

Specific requirements of the candidate

Essential criteria

We are seeking a highly motivated and reflective candidate with:

• A first-class or upper-second-class degree (or equivalent) in sport, psychology, sociology, education, health, or a related discipline.
• A strong interest in high-performance sport, women’s sport, and organisational environments.
• Experience of, or familiarity with, qualitative research methods.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with academic and industry partners.
• A proactive, adaptable, and ethically sensitive approach to research.

How to apply

Dr Ben Ives (b.ives@mmu.ac.uk) will lead the project as Principal Supervisor. Please get in touch with the proposed Principal Supervisor if you have any queries regarding the project. 

To apply, you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Sports & Exercise Science

Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research, and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

Please upload these documents to the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal.

Applications closing date: 10 May 2026.

Expected start date: October 2026.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-BI-2026-27-AquaticsGB Female Environments

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