Building Lifelong Health Skills in Adolescence: A Co-Creative, School-Embedded Digital Health Education Toolkit

About the Project

SLS-SF4. Building Lifelong Health Skills in Adolescence: A Co-Creative, School-Embedded Digital Health Education Toolkit

This PhD will develop and evaluate a school-embedded digital health education toolkit for secondary schools, building on the University of Westminster’s Nourish to Flourish skills-based intervention. The project addresses the challenge of fragmented and unsustainable health education in schools by creating scalable, teacher-led digital resources. Using a co-creative, mixed-methods approach, the student will work with pupils, teachers, and school stakeholders to design, pilot, and refine the toolkit. Content will focus on nutrition, physical activity, mental health and social media use. Evaluation will examine feasibility, engagement, and impact on health-related behaviours among students and staff.

Candidate background

We are seeking a motivated candidate with a strong interest in adolescent health, education, and health inequalities. Applicants should have a background in public health, nutrition, education, psychology, behavioural science, digital health, or a related discipline.

Essential criteria:

• A good undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) and/or a Master’s degree in a relevant field
• Interest in school-based or adolescent health research
• Willingness to work collaboratively with schools, teachers, and young people
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Desirable criteria:

• Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods
• Experience working with schools, young people, or community settings
• Interest in co-design, implementation research, or digital interventions

Please contact Dr Raysa El Zein to discuss: Elzeinr@westminster.ac.uk

All doctoral researchers will have access to comprehensive personal and professional development training and a mentoring programme from the University of Westminster Graduate School. The researchers will join a School committed to decolonising and diversifying policies, practices and cultures within and beyond Higher Education.

Entry requirements and how to apply.

Candidates should have a minimum classification of 2.1 in their Bachelor's degree or equivalent, and preferably a Master’s degree. Applicants whose secondary level education has not been conducted in the medium of English should also demonstrate evidence of appropriate English language proficiency normally defined as IELTS: 6.5 (overall score with not less than 6.0 in any of the individual elements).

Applications should be submitted by 5pm on Friday, 15th May 2026. Interviews will take place in June.

You must include the code and title of the studentship you are applying for in your application header, i.e. “SLS-SF4 Studentship”.

Funding Notes

This is a Self-Funded Project, Fees for 2026-2027

Home students £5,238 per annum, overseas students £17,510 per annum.