ESRC South Coast DTP Studentship - The role of Community Health Workers during epidemics: delivering inclusive healthcare in context of crises (S2128) (SCDTP-S2128)

The role of Community Health Workers during epidemics: delivering inclusive healthcare in context of crises

A fully funded studentship awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP) commencing in 2021/22 Academic Year.

Covid-19 has brought into sharp focus the disproportionate impacts of pandemics and crises on women and their health. In this context, the World Health Organisation has recognised the need to improve working conditions of, and healthcare provision by, Community health workers (CHW) in developing countries. Yet, how health crises alter working practices for the provision of care by CHWs is unknown, while the implications for women’s health is uncertain, especially for vulnerable groups. This project will explore the experience of CHWs supporting vulnerable women throughout health crises within the context of their local health services in places like Brazil or South Africa, while understanding (i) whether and how CHWs’ role as ‘service extender, cultural broker and social change agent’ are affected by health crises; and (ii) whether these changes create further vulnerabilities for already disadvantaged women in the community. 

Supervisory Team:

Pia Riggirozzi (PAIR) has expertise in political economy of development and health governance in Latin America. She is currently working on ESRCâGCRF and MRC funded projects on gendered health inequalities, poverty and the challenges of inclusive development in Latin America.

Sarah Neal (SSD) has expertise in social research with a focus on inequities in maternal, child and SRH. Both have long experience of successful PhD supervision.

Skills Required

We invite students with interest and expertise in the fields of global health, political economy or health worker research, as well as a rights-based and intersectional focus of research. Portuguese language is required for research based on Brazil, and ability to travel for extended periods would be needed.  

Funding

South Coast DTP Funding provides an annual maintenance grant (tax free) of £15285 (2020/21 UKRI rate), plus payment of programme fees.  Other funding available for SCDTP funded students can be found on the SCDTP website (www.southcoastdtp.ac.uk).

Funding is provided for 3 years full-time PhD study (pro-rata for part-time students).  Applications for 1+3 funding for students completing a Master's year prior to the commencement of PhD study are also welcome (details available at www.southcoastdtp.ac.uk).

Application Procedure

The closing date and time for applications is 4.00pm on 18th January 2021.  The full application procedure, the funding application form, and more information on the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership can be found at: http://southcoastdtp.ac.uk/apply/ 

For further information about this project, please contact the lead supervisor detailed above.  For questions relating to the application procedure, or for more information about the SCDTP, please visit the SCDTP website or contact us at scdtp@soton.ac.uk 

Closing Date: 18 Jan 2021
Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded)