How alternative anchor institutions interact with food systems to shape health and wellbeing

The Centre for National Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviour (Centre-UB) is inviting applications for a Doctoral Studentship in association with our collaborative partner Birmingham Wholesale Market (BWM) to start in October 2025.

This PhD is jointly supervised by the Department of Applied Health and the Business School, presenting a unique opportunity for a candidate interested in both applied health and business to develop their skills in these fields.

There is a well-developed literature on anchor institutions which are defined as organisations that have an important presence in a place and “invest in their surrounding communities as a way of doing business” (Koh et al, 2020: 309). Wholesale markets are overlooked and could be considered as a form of ‘alternative anchor institution’ as BWM makes an important contribution to the regional economy and health systems through food provision (Rutter et al., 2017). This PhD is about the role of BWM as an anchor institution and the implications for understanding links between health and well-being, economic and environmental systems.

We are looking for a highly talented and dedicated PhD student with a 1st class or 2:1 degree in social science fields related to business (including but not limited to marketing and economics), geography, psychology, sociology, and/or health, including but not limited to public health, epidemiology, and medicine. An MSc degree in a relevant area is desirable though not necessary. Previous experience with food systems is desirable but not essential.

To be considered for this PhD, please follow the instructions here. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/centre-ub/centre-ub-phd-studentships

Application deadline: 5 March 2025

This PhD is jointly supervised by Dr Laura Kudrna and Professor John Bryson. Informal enquiries about the project prior to application can be directed to Dr Laura Kudrna, l.kudrna@bham.ac.uk.

Funding notes:

Centre-UB studentships cover tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, support for research training, as well as research activity support grants. Due to funding stipulations set by UKRI, we are able to recruit up to 30% of international applicants to the cohort each year. You can find further details https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/centre-ub/centre-ub-phd-studentships