Exploring how social policy can inform green social prescribing as an instrument for social justice and inclusion

Project in brief

Social policy debate and discussion is now acknowledging the public health potential of more green spaces for more people, exemplified in the growth of ‘green social prescribing’. It is also beginning to engage with the structural and social barriers involved in preventing or reducing access to nature for some sections of society. You will undertake research that explores the structural, social, community and experiential barriers hindering access to nature specifically for people from a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background. You will make a critical contribution to debates about how an understanding of these barriers can inform ‘green’ social policies and practices; and engage with relevant academic and activist voices and perspectives, including those commonly marginalised. The successful candidate will be confident in adopting a predominantly qualitative methodological approach critically informed by social practice theory.

Please contact the supervisors listed below for full project details.

Key Facts

Location Brighton: Falmer campus

Themes Social policy, public health, green social policy

Research centres or groups

Centre for Change, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management (CENTRIM)

University of Brighton supervisory team

Dr Matthew Adams

I am a lecturer and academic researcher with a background in the social sciences and critical psychology. I supervise PhD students addressing a range of topics including ecology, nature-connection, nature-based interventions, climate change and human-animal relations. I am especially interested in supervising students adopting qualitative methodological and critical theoretical approaches. Interdisciplinary projects are especially welcome.

Prof Andrew Church

I have supervised over 20 students to completion of their PhD and am keen to supervise more students in the fields of tourism and leisure geographies, human-nature relations, cultural ecosystem services, the meanings and values of wetlands, water-based sport and recreation, domestic food growing, gardens and gardening.

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

We fund students undertaking Masters+PhD programmes (1+3 funding) and stand-alone PhD programmes (+3 funding).

1+3 funding

Applicants must have or expect to gain:

a good honours degree at first or upper second-class level, from a UK academic higher education institution, or a combination of qualifications and/or experience that is equivalent to a relevant UK degree.

Applicants are also required to submit a research proposal of 750 words.

+3 PhD funding

Applicants must have:

a good honours degree at first or upper second-class level, from a UK academic higher education institution, or a combination of qualifications and/or experience that is equivalent to a relevant UK degree.

And have or expect to gain:

a level of research training that would allow them to proceed directly to PhD. This is usually through the attainment of a previous masters qualification in the social sciences with a Merit grade.

Applicants are also required to submit a research proposal of 1500 words.

English language entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must have successfully completed a Secure English Language Test (SELT) in the last two years. Applicants who have obtained or are studying for a UK degree may apply without a SELT.

However, the university may request a SELT is taken as part of any award made.

English language IELTS requirements are minimum of 7.0 overall (7.0 for writing , and none below 6.0).

If you have an English language qualification other than IELTS, please contact us to see if you are eligible to apply for a studentship. The UK Home Office will not accept TOEFL tests as proof of meeting the English language requirements.

Residential eligibility

For entry in the 2021-22 Academic Year, the restrictions on eligibility for non-UK applicants have been relaxed. We can now accept applications from Home and non-UK resident students. There will be a recruitment cap of 30% on non-UK resident studentships awarded across the consortium. The management of this cap will be through the selection process. Successful candidates will receive a full stipend and fees at the UKRI rate.

Further information on residential eligibility is here.

Funding

UK residents

ESRC through the South Coast DTP provides a tax-free stipend at UKRI rates (£15,285 per year in 2020-21) and covers fees for the duration of the studentship (four years for 1+3 and three years for +3) for home (UK) students.

South Coast DTP PhD students will also have access to a Research Training Support Grant for activities such as carrying out fieldwork within the UK, purchasing essential equipment and attending relevant conferences.

There are also funds available for students to carry out overseas institutional visits and internships. Further details of these can be found on the South Coast DTP website.

EU and International applicants

See residential eligibility above.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the project, please contact the lead supervisor, Dr Matt Adams, via the contact details on their profile page.

If you have any questions about the funding or application process, please contact Fiona Sutton, Doctoral College f.j.sutton@brighton.ac.uk

Guide to making your application

Applicants must submit:

An institutional (University of Brighton) research degree application (deadline 04 January 2021)
A consortium (South Coast DTP) funding application (deadline 18 January 2021; we will support you in completing your funding application).

We will only consider complete applications. The research degree application is complete once you have uploaded all of the following:

your research proposal (see Entry Requirements for word limits)
copies of your bachelors and master certificates, including transcripts
copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable)
copy of your passport
two references uploaded - one must be an academic reference from your most recent period of study. Both must have been written within the last year.

To submit your application please follow these steps:

1. Click the 'apply online now' button, on the right.
2. Select 'register and start a new application', to create your user account.
3. Once you are logged in, select 'apply to a new course'.
4. Select the type of course 'research degree'.
5. Select mode of study 'full-time'.
6. Select 'Doctoral College'.
7. Select ‘South Coast DTP’.
8. Select the course 'MPhil/PhD'.
9. Click 'apply'.

You will now be able to complete the online application form.

Apply Online Now