Hidden Risks: Identifying and Understanding High-Risk Human Behaviours for Zoonotic Disease Transmission

Overview: Annually, in the UK, approximately 40 known zoonotic diseases infect 300,000 people. At a broad scale we collect data on exposure risks to these zoonoses using ‘extended surveillance data’, collated by public health bodies. Our first step therefore is one of ‘exposure scoping’; to analyse these enhanced surveillance data from project partner, Public Health Wales, to understand the relative role of different exposure factors in causing a range of zoonotic infections (e.g. STEC, Salmonella, Lyme Disease, Leptospirosis etc.). While extended surveillance data capture some risks, some are ‘hidden’, i.e., they are not captured in current surveillance. Therefore, next we will focus on a chosen zoonotic infection and, bringing together our interdisciplinary team we will explore all potential exposure behaviours via a One Health lens thus identify the individuals or groups that are at highest exposure risk. Finally, we will develop a ‘serious game’ to assess the efficacy of different disease intervention formats and languages on the likelihood of public uptake and acceptance.

The PhD will follow three broad research questions:

1.        Exposure Scoping: Determine in whom zoonoses occur, using PHW’s enhanced surveillance data.

2.        Hidden Behaviours: Identify behaviours associated with zoonotic exposure (for a target pathogen).

3.        Serious Game: Develop a game to assess responses to disease intervention messaging.

Supervisory Team

The student will work within a transdisciplinary group that includes Public Health Wales (PHW), social scientists, veterinarians, policy makers, animal geographers, psychologists and ecologists. PHW will provide access to their enhanced surveillance data and offer a 4 week+ placement (as suits the candidate) with the Gastrointestinal, Zoonoses and Emerging Infections (GEZI) team to shadow their one health/zoonoses surveillance activity. In addition, the OneZoo CDT offers bespoke training in zoonotic diseases and Cardiff University’s doctoral training program provides transferable skill training.

Expected Outcomes

This research is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the factors that influence zoonotic disease exposure in high income countries, but also identify novel or ‘hidden’ exposure behaviours. Findings will inform the development of future surveillance strategies and help understand human behaviour in response to disease intervention.

Contact details for supervisor

Email – [email protected]

Phone Number – 07581 667823

How to Apply

For student application, here is the link to the online application survey;. If the application meets the entrance requirements, the applicant will be invited to an interview. Only successful applicants will then go on and apply to the institution. Instructions for that will be provided after the interview. Information on the application process can also be found on the website www.onezoo.uk. https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/cardiff/onezoo-cdt-student-applications-for-2024-25

Guidance on the application and interview process of the OneZoo CDT can be found here: How to improve your application & interview skills

A copy of the student application survey can be found here:Student Application Form OneZoo CDT 2024. This is provided to give you an idea of the information required and the points that need to be addressed.