Physiotherapy PhD

As a Physiotherapy PhD student at the University of Brighton you will be able to draw on research approaches from a range of cognate fields including musculoskeletal therapy and rehabilitation, exercise prescription and health, assistive technology and mobility and efficacy of therapeutic interventions and approaches.

We foster research into clinical practice and effects of treatment modalities, the therapeutic relationship, patient views in relation to conditions and treatment received as well as issues relating to practitioners. We are also interested in the field of therapeutic exercise. Research can be based in clinical or laboratory settings and can involve qualitative as well as quantitative approaches. There is also a strong educational area of research exploring pedagogy and practice.

Graduates with a PhD in physiotherapy from the University of Brighton proceed to jobs in various organisations including NIHR, NHS, university lecturer posts and consultancy.

Apply to 'Health SCIENCES' in the applicant portal

Key information

As a Physiotherapy PhD student at Brighton, you will

benefit from a supervisory team comprising two or sometimes three members of academic staff. Depending on your research specialism you may also have an additional supervisor from another School, another research institution, or an external partner from government or industry.
be provided with desk space and access to a desktop PC.
benefit from access to a range of electronic resources via the university’s Online Library, as well as to the physical book and journal collections housed within the Aldrich Library and other campus libraries.

Academic environment

The University of Brighton offers interdisciplinary study across a range of allied health and health care practitioners. Research students play an important role in developing, changing and improving clinical practice.

PhD students are provided with a forum for discussion of research activities, for sharing expertise in methods and research approaches and to offer support to all those undertaking or wishing to undertake research in this area. We support all members associated with the area in their research activities, help colleagues with conference presentation preparation, with research planning and publication activities as well as grant applications.

We have links with clinicians and other academics at the University of Brighton and also invite doctoral students to attend the discussion areas. The profile of the area includes midwives, nurses, physiotherapists, podiatrists, occupational therapists, sports scientists and osteopaths. We also collaborate with staff from other parts of the university, for example, Brighton and Sussex Medical School and with departments in other universities together with clinicians and managers locally.

As a Physiotherapy PhD student, you will take an active role in a range of intellectual and social activities within the school. Students are encouraged to meet for informal discussions and supportive activities and on an annual basis for research conference/celebrations. We value all personal input from researchers and those interested in becoming researchers, and those who are interested to find out more about research and share ideas and knowledge.

Your work will be aligned with one or more of the Research and Enterprise Groups (REGs) at the School of Sport and Health Sciences:

Students with research in sexuality and gender focus may also be aligned with the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender.

The Brighton Doctoral College offer a training programme for postgraduate researchers, covering research methods and transferable (including employability) skills. Attendance at appropriate modules within this programme is encouraged, as is contribution to the schools’ various seminar series. Academic and technical staff also provide more subject-specific training.

We welcome applications across a number of physiotherapy related research themes:

Musculoskeletal therapy and rehabilitation
Exercise prescription and health
Posture and mobility
Efficacy of therapeutic interventions/approaches

Some of our supervisors

Dr Lieselotte Corten

My supervisory and research interests are paediatric physiotherapy, with a special interest in physical activity and motor development in children, physiotherapy in mainstream schools, interventions in cystic fibrosis and paediatric neurology. I am currently supervising 8 MSc students, in the field of paediatric physiotherapy and sports physiotherapy; and have been involved in several PhD projects as a student mentor.

Dr Angela Glynn

I would be very interested to work with students exploring aspects of professional values and behaviours, in particular compassion and fitness to practice. I would like to work with students researching how academic and placement based experience influences the development of the student as a health professional, considering aspects such as communities of practice and professional identity.

Doctoral completions

Experienced Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapists' understandings

Effects and Mechanisms of Rhythmic-Cued Motor Imagery

Dr Clair Hebron

Supervisory Interests and Research

My area of clinical specialisation is musculoskeletal (MSK) care and thus I am interested in supervising research related to musculoskeletal care, health promotion and exercise prescription. I am also interested in conceptual research exploring understandings of abstract ideas such as the therapeutic alliance, person-centredness and holistic care. My research interests also include qualitative research in broader healthcare settings (for example, I am currently supervising phenomenological research in persons living with HIV, homeless persons and persons living with breast cancer) and research integrating art, health and science. I have experiences of conducting and supervising research using quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Scholarly biography

After completing a BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy in 1994, I worked in the NHS and private practice until starting as a lecturer- practitioner in 1999. In 2000 I took a full-time academic post alongside part-time clinical work in private practice. I became a full member of the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) in 1999 and completed an MSc Manipulative Physiotherapy in 2001. I completed a PhD investigating the biomechanical and analgesic effects of lumbar mobilisations in 2014.

I am a Principal Lecturer and course leader for the MSc Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. I teach students from undergraduate to postgraduate (including doctoral) level, am experienced in course and module leadership, development and external examining. I regularly review articles for various journals and am social media editor for Musculoskeletal Science and Practice Journal.

I am actively engaged in both teaching and research and co-lead the School Specialist Interest Group for Phenomenology. I am a member of the university's research and enterprise centre of excellence, the Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Devices. I continue to practice clinically in the university’s ‘Physiotherapy at the Leaf’ clinic, treating persons with musculoskeletal complaints.

Approach to teaching

"Research supervision is one of my favourite aspects of work. I supervise post-graduate (including doctoral) level research. It is always a special moment when a student I have been supervising has their work accepted for publication or for a conference presentation”

“I remain in contact with many students long after they have completed. Many alumni become mentors for students on post-registration clinical placements and are leading aspects of musculoskeletal physiotherapy national and international”

Dr Colette Ridehalgh

The assessment and conservative management of people with peripheral neuropathic pain including nerve-related musculoskeletal disorders such as lumbosacral radicular pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and whiplash associated disorders. I am also interested in mechanistic studies investigating the mechanisms involved in both the underlying pathophysiology as well as understanding the benefits of management strategies

Dr Nicholas Smeeton

Nick supervises PhD students in the area of motor control, experimental psychology and cognitive and motor neuroscience. He is happy to be contacted to discuss potential projects on clinical exercise science, rehabilitation and sports and expert performance. There would be particular benefit to potential PhD students if their proposed programme of research fitted Dr Smeeton’s research interests.

Dr Kitty Suddick

I am interested in supervising qualitative research in a range of topics. I have a particular interest in phenomenology, hermeneutics, creative methods, and patient experience in long term neurological conditions. I am also currently involved in developing a programme of research into the NEUROfit programme.

I supervise research in the rehabilitation field, caring practices, acute stroke care, and other timepoints along the care and rehabilitation pathway. I am interested in the healthcare provider and user experience, how they can contribute to meaningful understanding, and how research findings can translate and inform practice.

I supervise undergraduate and MSc students. I have been a member of a supervisory team for a doctoral study completion exploring wellbeing in cancer survivorship. I am currently a supervisor team member for a study into co-production of care, and PhD team in Finland exploring the lived experience of chronic headache and migraine.

For further supervisory staff including cross-disciplinary options, please visit research staff on our research website.

Making an application

You will apply to the University of Brighton through our online application portal. When you do, you will require a research proposal, references, a personal statement and a record of your education.

You will be asked whether you have discussed your research proposal and your suitability for doctoral study with a member of the University of Brighton staff. We recommend that all applications are made with the collaboration of at least one potential supervisor. Approaches to potential supervisors can be made directly through the details available online. If you are unsure, please do contact the Doctoral College for advice.

Please visit our How to apply for a PhD page for detailed information.

Fees and funding

Funding

Undertaking research study will require university fees as well as support for your research activities and plans for subsistence during full or part-time study.

Funding sources include self-funding, funding by an employer or industrial partners; there are competitive funding opportunities available in most disciplines through, for example, our own university studentships or national (UK) research councils. International students may have options from either their home-based research funding organisations or may be eligible for some UK funds.

Learn more about the funding opportunities available to you.

Tuition fees academic year 2023–24

Standard fees are listed below, but may vary depending on subject area. Some subject areas may charge bench fees/consumables; this will be decided as part of any offer made. Fees for UK and international/EU students on full-time and part-time courses are likely to incur a small inflation rise each year of a research programme.

MPhil/PhD
	Full-time	Part-time
UK	£4,712	£2,356
International (including EU)	£15,300	N/A
International students registered in the School of Humanities and Social Science or in the School of Business and Law	from £13,900	N/A

PhD by Publication
Full-time	Part-time
N/A	£2,356

Contact Brighton Doctoral College

To contact the Doctoral College at the University of Brighton we request an email in the first instance. Please visit our contact the Brighton Doctoral College page.

For supervisory contact, please see individual profile pages.