Health Wellbeing and Social Care

The health and well-being of individuals within a population are influenced by and influence many different aspects of health, including employment rates, educational attainment, and health and social care services. They are also essential for maintaining a vibrant and healthy society. The research conducted under this theme should address key priorities, such as improving health, well-being, and social care, as well as enhancing public services, while considering all levels and systems of influence. We invite research that advances current findings and knowledge and has the potential for impact.

Topics covered under the definition of health, well-being, and social care include, but are not limited to, mental and physical illnesses, learning and physical disabilities, biosocial research, population health, health inequalities, and the health impacts of climate change, among others.  While much research may have roots in one discipline, it is essential to incorporate elements from other disciplines to gain a deeper understanding of pathways or to analyse data. For example, biosocial research explores the mechanisms through which biological, behavioural and social factors influence each other. This research draws on theories, methodologies, and frameworks from various disciplines to produce research that has an impact on healthcare, social systems, and individual behaviour. Research proposals should incorporate an interdisciplinary approach to address the research question.  

The current studentship holders cover a range of topics and have incorporated innovative methods such as AI in radiology or art-based participatory methodology to explore traumatic birth experiences. Research proposals should also consider the use of advanced methodologies to address research questions. Doctoral researchers are expected to identify and develop links with relevant organisations or agencies to ensure that their proposed research is applicable, relevant and has potential for impact.  

Health Wellbeing and Social Care

SENSS researchers engaged in this theme include:

SENSS universities engaged in this Theme:

Content

  • Mental illness

  • Learning disabilities

  • Physical disabilities/illness

SDGs

  • GOAL 1: No Poverty

  • GOAL 2: Zero Hunger

  • GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being

  • GOAL 5: Gender Equality

  • GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality

ESRC Priorities

  • Improving health, well-being, and social care

  • Improving public services

  • Population and society

Examples of successful projects in this theme:

  • Project title: An exploratory study of black mothers' traumatic birth experiences in the UK

    University: City St George's, University of London

    Primary supervisor: Christine McCourt (Christine.McCourt.1@city.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Marina Daniele (marina.daniele@city.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Digital Radiographer Leaders: Exploring leadership roles and competencies for radiographers to lead safe and effective AI digital transformation

    University: City St George's, University of London

    Primary supervisor: Christina Malamateniou (christina.malamateniou@city.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Amanda Goodall (amanda.goodall.1@city.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Experiences of childhood and family for children involved with children's social care in England

    University: Goldsmiths, University of London

    Primary supervisor: Martin Webb (m.webb@gold.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Claudia Bernard (C.Bernard@gold.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Supported Lodgings: the experiences, relationships and needs of young people and hosts.

    University: University of East Anglia

    Primary supervisor: Jeanette Cossar (Jeanette.Cossar@uea.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Birgit Larsson (B.Larsson@uea.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Efficacy and mechanisms of nature-based interventions (NBI)

    University: University of Essex

    Primary supervisor: Sheina Orbell (sorbell@essex.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Nick Cooper (ncooper@essex.ac.uk)

  • Project title: The Effect of PTSD, Dissociation and Interoception on Responses to Touch

    University: University of Essex

    Primary supervisor: Helge Gillmeister (helge@essex.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Sophia Carbonero (sc20294@essex.ac.uk)

  • Project title: A novel neurofeedback protocol to improve sleep, health, and learning

    University: University of Lincoln

    Primary supervisor: Simon Durrant (sidurrant@lincoln.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Umair Akram (uakram@lincoln.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Between well-being benefits and health risks: Exploring human-bird interactions during an avian influenza crisis in the UK

    University: University of Lincoln

    Primary supervisor: Laetitia Marechal (lmarechal@lincoln.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Simon Clegg (sclegg@lincoln.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Developing a culturally informed antenatal participatory music intervention for maternal mental health

    University: University of Roehampton

    Primary supervisor: Lauren Stewart (lauren.stewart@roehampton.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Katie Rose Sanfilippo (Katie-Rose.Sanfilippo@city.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Understanding the role of attachment and family dynamics in child and adolescent-to-parent violence and abuse

    University: University of Roehampton

    Primary supervisor: Amanda Holt (amanda.holt@roehampton.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Caitlin Knight (caitlin.knight@roehampton.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Exploring the Impact of Digital Twinning and Virtual Reality on Claustrophobic Patients, Practitioner Effectiveness, and MRI Radiology Workflows.

    University: City St George's University of London

    Primary supervisor: Christina Malamateniou (christina.malamateniou@city.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Divya Srivastava (divya.srivastava@city.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Exploring cognitive symptoms of menopause, societal awareness, stigmatisation and help seeking among autistic and non-autistic people.

    University: Goldsmiths University of London

    Primary supervisor: Rebecca Charlton (r.charlton@gold.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Hilary Norman (h.norman@gold.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Improving gender equality in our understanding of mental illness: exploring the intersection between autism and gender identity.

    University: University of East Anglia

    Primary supervisor: Joni Holmes (joni.holmes@uea.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Clare Melvin (C.Melvin@uea.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Predictive Analytics and Data Integration: Enhancing Healthcare Delivery in Resource-Limited Settings

    University: University of East Anglia

    Primary supervisor: Pinar Guven Uslu (p.guven@uea.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Beatriz De La Iglesia (B.Iglesia@uea.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Investigating the Neural Bases of Infant Visual Working Memory Deficits and Childhood Executive Dysfunction: Developmental Trajectories of ADHD Risk.

    University: University of East Anglia

    Primary supervisor: John Spencer (j.spencer@uea.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Joni Holmes (Joni.Holmes@uea.ac.uk)

  • Project title: More than food: The role of social supermarkets in reducing inequalities and improving wellbeing for women involved in the criminal justice system

    University: University of East Anglia

    Primary supervisor: Birgit Larsson (b.larsson@uea.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Sarah Hanson (S.Hanson@uea.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Examining the Nature of Communication Between Autistic and Allistic Individuals

    University: University of Essex

    Primary supervisor: Gethin Hughes (ghughes@essex.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Sara Garib-Penna (sgarib@essex.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Sick of being bored: Investigating the link between boredom and health

    University: University of Essex

    Primary supervisor: Wijnand Van Tilburg (wijnand.vantilburg@essex.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Reinhard Pekrun (rp19684@essex.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Rumination, Sleep, and the Brain: A Neurophysiological Investigation

    University: University of Lincoln

    Primary supervisor: Simon Durrant (SiDurrant@lincoln.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Hong-Viet Ngo-Dehning (h.v.ngo-dehning@essex.ac.uk)

  • Project title: Hybrid AI-Powered Chatbot for Adolescent Mental Health: A Data-Driven Approach in Digital Health

    University: University of Roehampton

    Primary supervisor: Laura Vowels (laura.vowels@roehampton.ac.uk)

    Secondary supervisor: Cecilia Essau (c.essau@roehampton.ac.uk)