Enhancing Maternal Health through Physical Activity

The School of Biomedical Sciences invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2025/26.

This PhD will focus on physical activity to improve health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Physical activity has significant benefits for mental and physical well-being, including during key life events such as pregnancy. While policies have been put in place globally to help establish active lifestyles across the lifespan, physical activity levels continue to decline and are particularly low in pregnant and postpartum women. This exacerbates maternal health risks, including obesity, gestational diabetes and postpartum depression, with consequences for infant health outcomes. 

Improving maternal health through physical activity presents several challenges that are relevant to both the Global North and Global South. In the Global North, such as the United Kingdom (UK), socioeconomic inequalities, variability in healthcare access, safety concerns, and a lack of awareness about the benefits of physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum are significant barriers. Cultural norms and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic further complicate efforts to promote physical activity among pregnant women and new mothers. In the Global South, resource constraints in low- and middle-income countries, high maternal mortality rates, and nutritional deficiencies pose substantial challenges. Additionally, climate change and gender norms can restrict women’s participation in physical activities. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that includes policy changes, community engagement, and increased investment in maternal health services. 

Research approaches to explore and address these challenges, could consider employing a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods ensuring a robust and comprehensive exploration of the impact of physical activity on maternal health. It could include community-based participatory research engaging community members as active participants to develop culturally relevant and sustainable interventions, as well as an exploration of best ways to integrate physical activity interventions into existing healthcare systems and community programmes, focusing on scalability, sustainability, and real-world effectiveness. This makes a PhD in this area highly relevant to researchers both in the UK and internationally. Prospective applicants are encouraged to shape the research with their own innovative ideas and approaches.

This opportunity is open to candidates who have the means to self-fund their studies or who have a sponsor who will cover this cost. We especially welcome applications that connect to the School’s core research areas, including Physical Activity and Public Health. 

Eligibility

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or international equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the Faculty of Biological Sciences is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. 

How to apply

To apply for this project applicants should complete an online application form and attach the following documentation to support their application. 

• a full academic CV
• degree certificate and transcripts of marks
• Evidence that you meet the University’s minimum English language requirements (if applicable)
• Evidence of funding

To help us identify that you are applying for this project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;

• Select PhD in Biological Sciences as your programme of study
• Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert

For information about the application process please contact the Faculty Admissions Team:

e: [email protected]