Co Designing Active School Uniforms : Equity Focused Approaches to Enhancing Physical Activity in Secondary Schools (Ref: SSEHS/NP26)

About the Project

Physical inactivity among young people is a major public health concern. Fewer than 40% of young people in the UK achieve the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on average per day. Activity levels decline sharply during adolescence, with particularly low participation among girls and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Schools have been identified as a critical setting for increasing physical activity as they can play a pivotal role in shaping opportunities for movement.

School based strategies are essential for supporting every day, incidental movement throughout the school day. However, yet many structural and cultural aspects of school life constrain opportunities for movement. One notable barrier is the formality and restrictiveness of secondary school uniforms, which can limit comfort, confidence, and physical activity during the school day. School uniforms that are comfortable, flexible and suitable for everyday movement, represent a potentially equitable approach to addressing barriers to increased opportunities for physical activity . Early evidence suggests that changes to school uniforms can support physical activity and are viewed positively by students and parents, but UK specific evidence remains limited.

This PhD will address these gaps through a co designed, mixed methods programme of research centred on the experiences and priorities of school-aged adolescents (12–16 years). The project will:

• Engage national stakeholders through a collaborative event to map current initiatives around uniforms, identify priorities, and inform the direction of the PhD.
• Work with adolescents, school staff, parents, and industry partners to explore what constitutes an “active” school uniform from an equity and inclusion perspective, generating principles for acceptable, affordable, inclusive, and contextually appropriate designs.
• Conduct pilot intervention research, including mixed methods evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, implementation, and physical activity impact of changes to school uniforms in diverse secondary school settings.

The studentship will generate timely, policy relevant evidence to inform more equitable school uniform policies and support movement throughout the school day. By centering youth voice and focusing on groups most at risk of inactivity, the project will develop practical guidance for schools, policymakers, and industry partners. Findings will contribute to public health, behavioural science, and implementation research, with knowledge exchange embedded through stakeholder engagement, accessible outputs, and dissemination across academic and practice communities.

Name of primary supervisor/CDT lead:

Dr Natalie Pearson n.l.pearson@lboro.ac.uk

Name of secondary supervisor:

Prof. Lauren Sherar

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have achieved at least a 2:1 in their undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (e.g., Sport Sciences, Public Health, Human Biology, or related Social or Health Sciences), and have a good understanding of health related behaviours, and of research methods. A relevant Master’s degree (e.g. Physical Activity and Health, Public Health, Behavioural Science, Education) is desirable. Interest or experience in co‑design, working with young people, or school‑based research is an advantage.

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/).

Funding information:

The studentship is for 3 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK rate. Due to funding restrictions, this is only available to those eligible for UK fees

Bench fees required: No

Closing date of advert: 22nd May 2026

Start date: July 2026, October 2026

Full-time/part-time availability: Full-time 3 years

Who is eligible to apply?: UK Only

Project search terms:

education, sport & exercise science, physical activity, school-uniform, well-being, co-design; equity

Email Address SSEHS:

ssehs.pgrapplications@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk