This fully funded PhD will explore how Roma mothers understand and experience distress and wellbeing, how life-course adversity shapes motherhood, and how women decide when, where and from whom to seek support. The project will take a qualitative, community-engaged and decolonising approach, working closely with Roma organisations and lived-experience contributors.
The student will undertake a scoping review followed by approximately 20–25 qualitative interviews with Roma mothers who have current or previous experience of complex or severe mental health difficulties, whether self-defined or clinically recognised. Data collection will be flexible and may include individual, paired or small-group formats according to participant preference. The research will explore experiences of adversity, discrimination, migration, family relationships, motherhood, coping, informal support, help-seeking and encounters with services.
A further 8–10 interviews with Roma advocates and third-sector practitioners will examine culturally safe support and service engagement. Analysis will use reflexive thematic analysis informed by intersectional and decolonising perspectives. Participatory workshops with Roma women and community partners will support interpretation of findings and help retain culturally and linguistically specific meanings.
The PhD will produce three linked papers examining: existing evidence on Roma mothers’ mental health and access to support; how structural disadvantage and life-course adversity shape mothering and wellbeing; and help-seeking and culturally safe support across community and service contexts. Findings will contribute directly to the development of culturally responsive, community-led peer support for mothers experiencing mental health difficulties and inform future implementation and service development.
The project is embedded within Lancaster University’s NIHR Mental Health Research Group and Theme 3 programme. The successful candidate will be based in the School of Social Sciences, in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
Applicants should hold a minimum upper second-class honours degree in social work, sociology, psychology, public policy, public health, health research or a related discipline. A relevant Master’s degree, or equivalent research or professional experience, is desirable.
Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in mental health inequalities and research with marginalised or underserved communities. Experience of qualitative research is desirable, alongside an interest in participatory, community-engaged and culturally responsive approaches. The successful candidate will need strong interpersonal and communication skills and the capacity to undertake sensitive research collaboratively and reflexively.
Knowledge of Roma communities or relevant language skills would be welcomed but are not essential.
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 Joanna Kostka at j.kostka@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: j.kostka@lancaster.ac.uk by 25th September 2026
Expected interview date: October 2026
Funding Notes
This studentships covers:
- UK fees
- Bench fees (up to £4000)
- Stipend (£21,805 per annum)
