Football Cooperative, a community based physical activity social intervention for men: An assessment of effectiveness when replicated at scale using a social return on investment (SROI) framework(SETU_2024_236)

 Project Key Words: (enter 3 to help advertise on online platforms)

–       Social Return on Investment (SROI),

–       Men’s Health,

–       Public Health

Post summary

Applications are invited for a PhD Scholarship to investigate a community based physical activity social intervention for men called Football Cooperative. The Football Cooperative (FC) initiative provides social ‘pick up football’ games for men aimed at reducing social isolation among men and improving their overall health and wellbeing. Since 2021, FC has been the subject of a feasibility study for scale up [Stage 1] and an implementation science study to develop an implementation strategy to deliver FC at scale for the benefit of population health [Stage 2]. Adopting a quasi-experimental repeated measures controlled design within a social return on investment (SROI) framework, the current study proposes to assess the efficacy of the FC initiative when scaled [Y1 12 sites; Y2 30 sites; Y3 60 sites] to a) determine the social value of the FC games at scale, b) the biopsychosocial health impact the FC games at scale, c) the reach of FC games at scale and d) the health economic impact of FC games at scale. The findings from this study will inform fidelity of delivery and equitable benefit for participants when the FC initiative is rolled out nationally and internationally.

Qualifications

Essential

·      A primary degree in either the field of business, health (or health related) or social studies (at least 2.1 honours standard). 

Desirable

·      A Masters degree in either the field of business, health (or health related) or social studies. 

·      Has some education in the field of health (or health related), social studies, health economics, men’s health and/or physical activity.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

·      Has some experience of conducting a research project independently.

·      Has some experience of collecting and analysing quantitative data and conducting statistical analysis.

Desirable

·      Has some experience of collecting and analysing qualitative data.

Skills & Competencies

Essential

·      Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate on application that they meet SETU’s English language requirements and provide all necessary documentation. See Page 7 of the Code of Practice

·      In order to be shortlisted for interview, you must meet the SETU English speaking requirements so please provide evidence in your application. 

·      Capable of working as part of a team.

·      Good communication skills.

·      Good project management skills.

·      Good IT skills.

·      Capable of working independently and to use ones own initiative.

·      Good capacity to problem solve.

Desirable

·      Are proficient in the use of Microsoft OneDrive, Teams, Zoom and SPSS.

·      Have good academic writing skills.