language barriers, and limited access to trauma‑informed care. Evidence shows that existing services often lack cultural sensitivity, resulting in unmet need, delayed help‑seeking, and poorer mental health outcomes.
Peer support (support provided by people with shared lived experience) is a promising, low cost, scalable approach that may help reduce inequities. Despite this, there are no evidence-based culturally adapted (to a person’s cultural background, beliefs, traditions, communication norms, and identity) peer‑support interventions designed specifically for ethnic minority parents following pregnancy loss.
The focus of this PhD aligns with national priorities around maternity safety, bereavement care, and reducing health inequalities.
This PhD will address this critical gap by generating new knowledge on mental health outcomes and service inequities, co designing a culturally adapted peer support intervention. This will be done through: 1) a systematic review of mental health outcomes and service inequities among ethnic minority parents following pregnancy loss; 2) a qualitative study of ethnic minority group perceptions of peer support for complex mental health problems following loss using semi-structured interviews (online or in-person; 3) co-design of a prototype culturally tailored peer support intervention and implementation strategy, building on a peer support model the team already have experience of developing and delivering in mental health settings: Living Library - Lancaster University.
As the successful PhD candidate, you will join a multi-disciplinary team of clinical academics working to improve mental health outcomes, based in the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research within the Division of Health Research, in the Faculty of Health and Medicine. You will work collaboratively with the local NHS Trust; Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. You will receive training and supervision to develop your ideas and have access to a wide range of broader doctoral training and support opportunities at Lancaster University.
Applicants should hold a minimum upper second-class honours degree in Psychology or related discipline. A Master’s degree is desirable. Only home students are eligible for this studentship.
Expected start date: 1st January 2027
For informal discussions and queries in advance of applying, please contact: Dr Heather Robinson h.robinson@lancaster.ac.uk
To apply, please send your CV (max 2 pages) including x2 references and cover letter (outlining your interest in this PhD and qualifications)
Email: Dr Heather Robinson h.robinson@lancaster.ac.uk by 25th September 2026
Expected interview date: TBC
Funding Notes
This studentship covers
- UK Fees
- Bench fees (up to £4000)
- Stipend (£21,805 per annum)
