Work-place related injuries, emergency health-care use and economic impacts among farmers in Northern Ireland

Summary

Northern Ireland (NI) is heavily dependent on the agricultural industry for employment and its economy. There are approximately 26,000 farm businesses in NI, mostly family-operated (DAERA, 2026) with annual sales of food and drink worth £6.5 billion (DAERA, 2025). However, farming continues to be one of the more dangerous occupations. Over the past ten years there have been 51 deaths on NI farms with older farmers and those working alone accounting for a high percentage of severe and fatal incidents and increasing numbers of farmers require medical attention and extended time off work (HSENI, 2025).

Consequently, farm accidents have a significant impact on a farmer’s wellbeing and the sustainability of the business in terms of lost output and income. There are additionally the economic consequences of life-changing injuries and increased demand for NHS services.

The aim of the study is to provide the first detailed evidence on emergency health-care workplace-related use among NI farmers using administrative data, including primary and secondary care data. It will include the following:

1. Modelling trends in demands for health care over time among farmers
2. Identification of the most common work-place related injuries farmers present for emergency care with at Accident & Emergency (A &E) departments
3. An economic evaluation of the impact of work-place related injuries e.g. lost output and income, ongoing demand for healthcare
4. A comparison of occupational injuries between farmers, other non-farming rural workers and urban workers.

The student will work alongside stakeholders such as HSENI and AFBI with the aim of informing targeted interventions aimed at prolonging healthy working lives, reducing farm accidents and promoting agricultural sustainability strategies.

The studentship is nested within a portfolio of agri-rural work being undertaken by Administrative Data Research Centre-NI (ADRC-NI) at Queen’s University and Ulster University. Current research interests include multimorbidity, mental health and farm business economics and provides the opportunity to develop advanced statistical programming and analysis skills in a policy-facing research environment.

Required: An undergraduate degree in a subject which includes substantial quantitative data analysis in the final year of study e.g. Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences.  Desirable: An MSc which includes a major quantitative data analysis component e.g. Data Analytics, Applied Statistics

Please note: Applicants with a 2:1 degree  in Psychology (or close to  completion) are encouraged to apply

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.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Evidence of academic writing skills (a short sample of academic written work of the applicant's choosing (Max 3 pages, A4, font 11)) – please upload in the section entitled Research Proposal
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

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.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a First Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject area
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• A demonstrable interest in or experience of using Open Science methods

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.