Overview

Interested in how to shape healthy, equitable and sustainable cities? This PhD will explore who influences healthy and sustainable food or physical activity policies in local government, and how these actors exert influence. 

Many UK local governments face challenges in developing healthy and sustainable food or active travel policies, often facing opposition from internal and external stakeholders. Focusing on either sustainable food or active travel policies, in this PhD you will assess who the influential stakeholders are through stakeholder mapping and network analysis. Through a systematic review, document analysis and the analysis of case studies you will explore what strategies and narrative frames these stakeholders have used to exert influence, how local governments have responded and who is most impacted.  

You will develop expertise in encouraging shifts towards healthy and sustainable urban systems. You will join Dr Prachi Bhatnagar’s research team in the Population Health Sciences research institute, benefitting from the incredibly strong public health, sustainability and urban development networks that are based in Newcastle University.  

Award Summary

100% of UK home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend of £21,805. Additional funding is available for research costs, training and conference attendance. Please note this studentship is only available to those eligible for UK home tuition fee rates.