Autism and healthcare: Public Health, Autism and cervical screening

About the Project

Key Information

Open to: UK fee eligible applicants only

Funding Providers: Cancer Research Wales

Subject Area: Autism and cervical screening

Project Start Dates: October 2026

Supervisors:

• Dr Aimee Grant
• Dr Rebecca Ellis
• Dr Catrin Griffiths

Aligned programme of study: Public Health, PhD

Mode of study: Full time or Part time

Place of study:

• Swansea University (Singleton Campus)
• Swansea University (Bay Campus)

Project description:

​​Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged under 35 in Wales. NHS Wales offers cervical screening (smear tests), but under 70% of people attend. Failure to attend smears increases the risk of people dying from cancer.

​Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference impacting 3% of people, with limited gender difference. Autistic people are much less likely than non-Autistic people to have smear tests, with 55% reporting to have never attended a smear. Our interview study found Autistic people find smear tests difficult because of lack of knowledge, worries about being touched and lack of pain relief offered.

​Autistic people have informed this application and will be involved in designing the study throughout.

​The student will:

1. ​Conduct an evidence review that examines existing research to ask ‘why do cervical screening services not meet the needs of Autistic people?’
2. ​Test the concepts we identify through a Wales-wide survey of Autistic people eligible for smear tests.
3. ​Co-develop an intervention with Autistic people and health professionals, to increase knowledge and confidence relating to smear tests and HPV self-sampling.
4. ​Test the intervention with Autistic people and health professionals, to see if they think it is good.

Eligibility

UK fee eligible applicants only

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA (Full list of categories for HE in Wales).

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level and a master’s degree. Alternatively, applicants with a UK first class honours degree (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) not holding a master’s degree, will be considered on an individual basis.

English Language

IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent.

Funding Notes

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £21,805 for 2026/27).

Additional research expenses of up to £6,800 per year will also be available.