The Daily Mile (TDM) physical activity initiative is registered in >14,000 schools across >87 countries. Research has established short-term positive effects of TDM on children’s physical and mental health outcomes (Breslin et al., 2023). However, most TDM studies are of weak-to-moderate methodological quality, and lack long-term follow-up. Furthermore, adherence and sustainability to TDM is poor, with many schools reporting a lack of variety, boredom, and waning motivation. Therefore, despite significant uptake and reach of TDM, innovative and evidence-informed approaches are needed to determine if programme enhancements can advance its sustainability and effectiveness on children’s health.
The aim of this PhD programme of research will be to:
1. Conduct a systematic literature review on the COM-B model in children’s physical activity interventions.
2. Co-produce a bespoke COM-B informed, TDM intervention alongside schoolchildren, teachers, parents and school support staff.
3. Pilot test the co-produced TDM over a school year, and compare implementation fidelity, implementation, and physical and mental health outcomes, against a ‘standard’ TDM, and waiting-list control group.
Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.
We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.
The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.
Appointment will be made on merit.
The University offers the following levels of support:
The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:
These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.
The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living
Biddle, S. J., Gorely, T., Faulkner, G., & Mutrie, N. (2023). Psychology of physical activity: a 30-year reflection on correlates, barriers, and theory. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 21(1), 1-14.
Breslin, G., Hillyard, M., Brick, N., Shannon, S., McKay-Redmond, B., & McConnell, B. (2023). A systematic review of the effect of The Daily Mile™ on children’s physical activity, physical health, mental health, wellbeing, academic performance and cognitive function. PLoS One, 18(1), e0277375
Breslin, G., Hillyard, M., Brick, N., Shannon, S., McKay-Redmond, B., Shevlin, M., & McConnell, B. (2023). Predicting school uptake of The Daily Mile™ in Northern Ireland- a data linkage study with School Census Data and Multiple Deprivation Measures PLoS One,
Michie, S., Van Stralen, M. M., & West, R. (2011). The behaviour change wheel: a new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions. Implementation science, 6(1), 1-12.
Michie, S., Carey, R. N., Johnston, M., Rothman, A. J., De Bruin, M., Kelly, M. P., & Connell, L. E. (2018). From theory-inspired to theory-based interventions: a protocol for developing and testing a methodology for linking behaviour change techniques to theoretical mechanisms of action. Annals of behavioral medicine, 52(6), 501-512.
Ryde, G. C., Booth, J. N., Brooks, N. E., Chesham, R. A., Moran, C. N., & Gorely, T. (2018). The Daily Mile: What factors are associated with its implementation success?. PloS one, 13(10), e0204988.
Shannon, S., Brennan, D., Hanna, D., Younger, Z., Hassan, J., & Breslin, G. (2018). The effect of a school-based intervention on physical activity and well-being: A non-randomised controlled trial with children of low socio-economic status. Sports medicine-open, 4, 1-12.
Smith, B., Williams, O., Bone, L., & the Moving Social Work Co-production Collective (2023) Co-production: A resource to guide co-producing research in the sport, exercise, and health sciences, Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 15:2, 159-187.
Submission deadline
Monday 26 February 2024
04:00PM
Interview Date
April 2024
Preferred student start date
16 September 2024
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