Babies Before Burpees: Exploring whether financial pressures shape physical activity during the early years of parenthood.

Summary

Becoming a parent is an important life transition, but it can bring changes in physical activity (PA), time, finances and family priorities. Research shows that the transition to parenthood is associated with reductions in PA, although much of this evidence relies on self-report rather than device-based measures.

Financial pressures and the cost-of-living crisis may make it more difficult for new parents/guardians to prioritise their own PA and wellbeing. Parents/guardians also shape their children’s PA through modelling, co-participation, encouragement and practical support, meaning that supporting parents/guardians to be active could benefit the whole family.

In partnership with Derry City & Strabane District Council (DCSDC), this PhD will explore how financial circumstances and socioeconomic inequalities influence PA during the early years of parenthood, and develop and test a new programme to support parents/guardians to be more physically active. Whilst the research is being conducted in DCSDC, an area of high deprivation, the findings will be applicable across all councils within NI.

The research will involve several stages:
1.   Systematic review: Review of existing evidence on PA interventions for new parents/guardians.
2.   Survey: Explore PA, spending and financial pressures among new parents.
3.   Interviews: Understand parents’ experiences and the factors that influence their decisions around PA.
4.   Mapping exercise: Identify locally available opportunities for new parents/guardians to be physically active.
5.   Intervention design: Co-design a PA intervention with parents/guardians, the council and other local stakeholders.
6.  Intervention evaluation: Test the intervention with parents/guardians. This evaluation will consider whether the intervention can be delivered equitably across different socioeconomic groups and whether there are promising changes in device-measured PA and sedentary behaviour.

The PhD will provide evidence to inform future interventions and help councils and other services develop more accessible and equitable approaches to supporting PA and family wellbeing during early parenthood.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

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.

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience or knowledge of research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Track record of peer reviewed publications
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• Relevant professional qualification

Equal Opportunities

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.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD Scholarships are available for this project and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

To be eligible for these scholarships applicants must: be a UK or Irish national; or have pre-settled or settled status; or have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme i.e. September 2027.

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, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.