Faculty: Health, Medicine and Social Sciences
Supervisors: Dr Gargi Ghosh; Dr Edward Purssell
Location: Chelmsford
Apply online by 16 March 2025This project explores nutritional disparities in UK coastal areas and their impact on adult health and wellbeing. It addresses a critical gap in public health research by investigating the intersection of nutrition, geography, and socioeconomic disparities in UK coastal regions.
Nutritional disparities reflect inequalities in dietary intake and health outcomes influenced by socioeconomic, geographic, and cultural factors. Coastal communities face particular challenges, including economic deprivation, limited healthcare access, aging populations, and seasonal employment, leading to poorer health and higher mortality rates (Public Health England, 2019; GOV.UK, 2021).
Coastal communities were identified as a national priority in the Chief Medical Officer’s annual report 2021: Health in coastal communities. ARU covers a wide costal area, including some of the most deprived districts in the UK.
Despite growing awareness, targeted research on nutrition-specific drivers such as food insecurity and access to fresh foods remains limited. The Chief Medical Officer’s report emphasises a “coastal effect,” highlighting elevated obesity rates and poor diet-related health outcomes, yet data on root causes is insufficient (GOV.UK, 2021).
A holistic, data-driven approach using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and socioeconomic indicators is crucial for identifying food insecurity hotspots and informing policy interventions. This will help meet the need for tailored public health strategies to address the socioeconomic and environmental determinants impacting coastal health and nutrition (Public Health England, 2019; GOV.UK, 2021).
A mixed-methods approach will combine quantitative data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) and Health Survey for England (HSE) with qualitative interviews to explore nutritional disparities between coastal and inland regions. Collaboration with local health services and community organisations will support data collection and analysis. GIS mapping tools will visualise geographical patterns and trends, offering location-specific insights into factors driving nutritional inequalities.
The successful candidate will receive training in research methods, software learning, public engagement, and leadership development through institutional programs and the Doctoral Training Alliance network.
Objectives:
Anticipated impact:
The results will be shared through academic publications, workshops, conferences, and public outreach. Partnering with local councils and health organisations will confirm findings are actionable.
This project offers a unique platform to contribute to impactful research, tackle real-world health challenges, and engage with a diverse, interdisciplinary academic community focused on sustainable health solutions. It will equip the successful candidate with a range of skills that will advance their career prospects in a variety of health and social care roles.
If you would like to discuss this research project please contact Dr Gargi Ghosh: [email protected]
Apply online by 16 March 2025The successful applicant for this project will receive a Vice Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship which covers the tuition fees and provides a UKRI equivalent minimum annual stipend for three years. For 2024/5 this was £19,237 per year. The award is subject to the successful candidate meeting the scholarship terms and conditions. Please note that the University asserts the right to claim any intellectual property generated by research it funds.
Download the 2024/5 terms and conditions (2025/6 terms and conditions TBC)