PhD Scholarship, Sheffield Hallam University: Evaluating Anthropometry for Fairer Disability Sport Classification

About the Project

Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship at the School of Sport and Physical Activity, commencing 01 October 2026.

This fully funded scholarship covers Home PhD fees and provides a stipend at the Living Wage Foundation rate (£22,152 for 2025/26). The stipend increases annually according to the Living Wage rate.

As part of the scholarship, students will complete PhD study and support research activities in the school, for a maximum of 180 hours per academic year and not more than 6 hours in any one week. This activity forms part of the scholarship award and there is no additional payment for it.

Sheffield Hallam University delivers world-leading applied health and wellbeing research. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 88% of our research was judged world-leading or internationally excellent: https://www.shu.ac.uk/sport-physical-activity-research-centre.

You will join a thriving community of ~65 doctoral researchers supported through a comprehensive doctoral training programme and will be colocated within the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) - a world-leading hub for health innovation: https://www.shu.ac.uk/advanced-wellbeing-research-centre.

Project Title: Evaluating Anthropometry for Fairer Disability Sport Classification

Disability sport classification aims to ensure fair competition - but current systems often rely on body size and proportions without strong, consistent evidence linking these measures to functional performance. This PhD offers a rare opportunity to work at the forefront of parasport science, addressing a real-world problem with direct implications for athletes, classifiers and governing bodies.

This interdisciplinary project will explore how body size, limb proportions and overall body shape influence functional ability and competitive fairness in disability sport. Using a combination of anthropometry, biomechanics, physiology and lived-experience research, the student will help generate the evidence needed to make classification systems more transparent, equitable and defensible.

Short stature is the initial focus due to recognised classification challenges and lifelong consequences of early decisions, but the exact impairment group, sport context and measurement approach will be refined collaboratively during the early stages to ensure the greatest scientific and societal impact.

Aim

To strengthen the evidence base underpinning disability sport classification by examining how anthropometric characteristics influence functional performance and competitive fairness, and by translating this evidence into guidance relevant for policy, practice and education.

Objectives

• Quantify relationships between anthropometry and function: Examine how body size, limb proportions and overall body shape are associated with functional performance outcomes relevant to disability sport.
• Evaluate the discriminatory value of specific measurements: Determine which anthropometric measures meaningfully differentiate functional capability, and identify measures that may lack functional relevance or inadvertently disadvantage certain athletes.
• Integrate quantitative and qualitative perspectives: Combine biomechanical and physiological performance testing with insights from athletes and classifiers to contextualise measurement–performance relationships and classification decisions.
• Translate findings into applied classification insight: Generate evidence-based outputs that inform classification policy, classifier education and applied practice, with a focus on fairness, transparency and inclusion.

What We’re Looking For in Project Proposals

Applicants will be encouraged to:

• Explore links between anthropometry and function using innovative measurement approaches (e.g. manual and/or 3D methods).
• Consider how biomechanics and physiological factors mediate performance differences.
• Incorporate athlete and classifier perspectives to contextualise quantitative findings.
• Engage critically with fairness, inclusion and equity in sport classification.
• Show openness to co-design, stakeholder engagement and applied impact.

Why Apply?

This PhD offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge measurement technologies, access to elite sports science facilities, and opportunities to collaborate with disability sport organisations. You’ll develop a rare interdisciplinary skill set spanning biomechanics, human measurement and inclusive research, while producing work with genuine potential to influence international sport policy.

For students passionate about sport science, social impact and fairness in competition, this is a chance to help shape the future of disability sport - while training as a confident, highly employable researcher ready for postdoctoral and applied roles.

You are encouraged to contact Dr Alice Bullas (a.bullas@shu.ac.uk) for informal enquiries about the project.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold a 1st class or 2:1 degree in Sport Science, Data Science, Biomedical Science, Engineering, or related subjects. Quantitative skills are desirable; training in specialist methods will be provided. We are offering this as a full-time PhD scholarship, though flexible working hours can be discussed. 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 applicants

Please read the funding notes section for important information about tuition fees.

Sheffield Hallam 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 here: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 and may be required even if you have previous qualifications gained at UK institutions. Please check with the Postgraduate research team: DoctoralSchool-HWLS-PGR@shu.ac.uk prior to application as thisqualification must be submitted as part of the application.

How to Apply

Complete and submit the online application form at: https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/sport-and-physical-activity/phd-sport-and-physical-activity/full-time/2026

Please add the project title within the Personal Statement field of the 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 must submit IELTS results (or equivalent) taken in the last two years

We do not accept proposals setting out an applicant's own research and cannot consider applications where a research proposal addressing this specific project has not been submitted.

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

Application deadline: 17 June 2026, 12 noon UK Time (***Late applications will not be accepted**)

Interviews: W/C 06 July 2026 Please note, we are unable to offer alternative interview slots once allocated to shortlisted candidates.

Funding Notes

Our PhD 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 £13,362 per year, must be covered by the student for the duration of the scholarship. No additional funding will be available to assist International students with this fee gap.

 Applicants must have the resources set out above to fund their study. Please note that the monthly stipend payments cannot be used to fund this fee gap, as they cover basic living expenses only.