PhD Studentship: Applied Records of Traumatic Events and Mass Injury Building a Learning System for Emergency Preparedness

University of Birmingham - Department of Applied Health Sciences

Health emergencies, mass casualty events and disasters generate large volumes of operational, clinical and organisational data. However, these data are rarely synthesised into structured, analysable records that can systematically inform preparedness, training and future response. As a result, learning from past events is fragmented, inconsistently captured, and insufficiently embedded into emergency planning and policy.

Aligned with Theme 3 (BUILD) of the NIHR Emergency Preparedness and Resilience HPRU, this PhD aims to develop and evaluate an applied framework for recording, curating and analysing data from traumatic events and mass injury incidents. The central hypothesis is that a standardised, interdisciplinary “applied record” of major incidents can strengthen organisational learning, improve preparedness, and support more equitable and effective future responses.

The project will examine how data from multiple sources, including health services, emergency responders, public health agencies and community stakeholders, are currently captured, stored and used. It will identify gaps, inconsistencies and missed opportunities for learning. Building on this analysis, the student will co-develop a structured applied record model that integrates quantitative indicators (e.g. timelines, resource utilisation, patient flows) with qualitative insights (e.g. decision-making processes, communication breakdowns, equity impacts).

The framework will be tested using retrospective case studies and prospective simulation exercises, assessing its feasibility, usability and value for preparedness planning, training and policy development. The project will directly support UKHSA and partner organisations in strengthening institutional memory and preparedness capability, while contributing generalisable methods for learning from extreme events.

Supervisors: Justine Davies (University of Birmingham); Tom Finnie (UKHSA); Justine Lee (Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham)

Funding notes:
Funding for this project is available for UK studentship fees (only UK fees will be paid, and any additional PhD fee costs where needed must be paid by the successful applicant). A yearly stipend based on the current UKRI rates, and a research training and support grant will also be available.

References:
1. UK Health Security Agency. Learning from Public Health Emergencies.
2. Cabinet Office. UK National Risk Register.
3. Wears RL, Hollnagel E. Resilient Health Care.
4. Vincent C, Amalberti R. Safety in Healthcare.