Graduate Teaching Assistant PhD scholarship: Strengthening Family, School and Specialist Collaboration for Better Engagement in Obesity Support for Neurodivergent Children

About the Project

Applications are invited for a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD scholarship in Health and Social Care commencing 01 October 2026

The scholarship is for three and a half years full-time study and covers home PhD fees, currently £5006 and pays an annual stipend at the living wage foundation rate of £22,152 per year in the academic year 2025/26 This stipend payment will increase annually based on the rate set by the living wage foundation for the duration of the scholarship.

This project is part of a Graduate Teaching Assistantshipscheme, in which the successful applicant will undertake certain teaching duties associated with the student experience, in addition to working towards a PhD qualification. They will contribute up to 180 hours of support for research or teaching related activity per academic year. This activity forms part of the scholarship and there is no additional payment. Overview of the GTA scheme

PhD Project: Strengthening Family, School and Specialist Collaboration for Better Engagement in Obesity Support for Neurodivergent Children

Evidence suggests that childhood obesity disproportionately affects neurodivergent children (such as autism, ADHD and intellectual disabilities), a trend observed internationally. Despite known barriers (including sensory issues, carer stress and school reward practices that conflict with specialist advice), effective family and cross-service engagement to healthy weight management remains insufficiently explored.

This GTA-funded PhD offers a timely, impactful opportunity to drive real change. You will investigate how families, SEND schools and specialist obesity services can collaborate more effectively to support neurodivergent children and address inequalities. The work is part of our CARe Child, Young Person and Family research group and builds on existing partnerships with strong potential for impact, policy influence and publications.

Aim

To understand the barriers and facilitators to weight management support needs of neurodivergent children living with obesity and their families and develop inclusive practical recommendations with a focus on early intervention and whole-system support.

Objectives

• Identify barriers and facilitators to weight management support across home, school and specialist settings.
• Explore practices and tools (from traditional to digital) that strengthen collaboration.
• Collaborate to create practical, personalised recommendations to improve engagement and equity.

What we’re looking for in your proposal

We are open to innovative and inclusive approaches that meet the needs and preferences of neurodivergent participants and their families. We welcome proposals that preferably utilise a multi-method design (traditional and/or virtual), combining, for example, participatory approaches with interviews or surveys alongside the analysis of routine obesity and engagement data.

In particular, strong proposals might include ideas such as:

• Reviewing existing engagement practices and tools in neurodivergent weight management support (family, school, clinic)
• Stakeholder mapping and meaningful involvement of neurodivergent children, families, SEND school staff and specialists in shaping the research
• Capturing lived experiences of barriers and enablers to engagement (e.g. advisory/co-production group, interviews/focus groups/photovoice/body mapping, surveys on current practices and/or confidence)
• Prototyping or piloting tools/strategies (e.g. co-designed guides, digital/telehealth resources, school–clinic links, alternative reward systems)
• Evaluating impact on family engagement, consistency of support or equity across settings (pre/post measures, acceptability, practical recommendations)

The GTA role offers an excellent opportunity for applicants from health and care professions, particularly those with professional registration (e.g., learning disability or children's nursing), to make the most of the hands-on teaching and professional development.

If you are interested in this project, and would like to discuss your ideas, please contact the Director of Studies, Dr Anita Z Goldschmied: A.Z.Goldschmied@shu.ac.uk

Applicants should hold: a BSc (2:1 or above, or an equivalent) honours degree in Health and Social Care or other relevant disciplines. A master’s degree qualification in a related area is desirable, along with experience working with clients and patients in Health and Social Care. Professional qualifications and experience in Health and Social Care, such as nursing, are desirable but not essential. Applicants without a professional qualification should have a strong academic and practice background in a related Health and Social Care field.

We are offering this as a full-time PhD scholarship. We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBTQIA+, BAME and disabled communities.

International / EU applicants

Please see the funding notes section of this advert for important fee information.

Sheffield Hallam University has a mandatory English language requirement of IELTS 7, or equivalent language qualification, for all applicants from countries not included in the UKVI exemption list:https://www.gov.uk/english-language/exemptions.

This qualification must have been taken within the last two years, with a score of at least 6.5 in all test areas. The qualification may be required even if you have previous qualifications from UK institutions.

Please check with Health-PGR-admissions@shu.ac.uk prior to application, as we cannot consider applications if this essential qualification is not submitted.

How to apply for the scholarship

Our PhD scholarships involve full-time PhD study and a requirement that successful applicants must have completed all study and any employment by the start date of the scholarship, which is 01 October 2026.

Please complete and submit an application form: https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/health-and-social-care-management/phd-health-and-social-care/full-time/2026

Please add the project title of the scholarship you are applying for clearly in the Personal Statement field of application form.

You must ensure that you upload:

1. A 1,500-word research proposal addressing this specific project.
2. Two letters of reference, or details of two academic referees
3. Copy of your highest degree certificate
4. Copy of your passport
5. International applicants only
   • must submit IELTS results (or equivalent) taken in the last two-years
   • must confirm that they have the personal resources to cover the scholarship fee gap set out within the funding section of this advert.

We do not accept proposals setting out an applicant's own research and cannot consider applications where the above mandatory documents have not been submitted.

If you experience issues submitting your online application, or for general enquiries please contact: DoctoralSchool-HWLS-PGR@shu.ac.uk

Submission deadline: 19 May 2026 (12 noon BST) Late applications will not be accepted.

Interviews:  16 June 2026Please note, we are unable to offer alternative interview slots once allocated to shortlisted candidates.

Funding Notes

Our scholarships are open to Home, EU and International applicants, however, the bursary will cover the Home fee only. The shortfall between the Home and EU/ International fee, currently around £12,700 per year, must be covered by the student for the 3.5-year duration of the scholarship. No additional funding will be available to assist international students with this fee gap.

Please note that the monthly stipend payments cannot be used to fund this fee gap, as they cover basic living expenses only.