The Impact of Housing Conditions on the Health and Healthcare Engagement of Asylum-Seeking and Refugee Women During Pregnancy and Early Motherhood in the UK (HHS-2026-16)

About the Project

Housing is a key social determinant of health, shaping wellbeing, safety, and access to healthcare. In the UK, asylum‑seeking and refugee (ASR) women are frequently placed in temporary, overcrowded, or poor‑quality accommodation due to restrictive immigration policies and limited financial resources. During pregnancy and early motherhood, such conditions may heighten stress, compromise privacy and safety, and disrupt engagement with maternity and primary care services.

Recently arrived migrant women experience disproportionate rates of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in the UK, highlighting persistent health inequalities. Although housing insecurity is increasingly recognised as a contributing factor, limited qualitative research has examined how specific housing conditions influence health, wellbeing, and healthcare engagement for pregnant ASR women and new mothers.

This PhD project addresses this gap by exploring lived experiences of housing within the asylum system and examining how accommodation environments intersect with maternity care provision, professional practice, and service organisation. Findings will inform maternity services, housing policy, and public‑health interventions aimed at improving outcomes for ASR mothers and infants.

Research focus

The project will explore:

• How housing conditions influence physical and mental health during pregnancy and early motherhood
• How housing instability affects engagement with antenatal, postnatal, and primary care services
• Midwives’ and maternity staff’s perspectives on supporting ASR women living in insecure or poor‑quality housing
• Barriers and facilitators to healthcare access within asylum and move on accommodation

Methods

It is anticipated that the study will use a qualitative, multi‑perspective design, recruiting participants including:

• Pregnant ASR women and recent mothers
• Midwives and maternity support staff
• Senior midwifery managers or service commissioners

Data will be generated through methods such as semi‑structured interviews/ focus groups and participatory approaches (e.g. photovoice or housing‑pathway mapping) to enhance inclusivity. Data will be informed by social determinants of health and health‑inequalities frameworks.

For subject specific enquiries please contact: a.d.firth@hud.ac.uk

How to Apply

You must submit your application in full by Friday 19th June 2026, including the following documents:

• A motivational email as to why you wish to apply for the scholarship, stating which project you are applying for.
• A 2,000-word research proposal outlining how you plan to undertake for the research topic you are applying for. For further guidance on writing a research proposal, please refer to the following webpage: https://www.hud.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/writing-a-research-proposal/
• Full CV
• Provide copies of transcripts and certificates of all relevant academic and/or any professional qualifications.
• Provide references from two individuals – (at least one to be an academic reference) please contact your referees and ask them to send your references directly to pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk from their work email address. (references can be submitted late but must be received by 29th June 2026).
• Proof of eligibility – e.g. scan of passport photo page
• Please state the research topic number and title in the subject area of the email

Please email pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk with queries regarding eligibility and submitting documents. Informal enquiries about individual projects should be directed to the lead supervisor listed for each project.

Type of Award: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Eligibility: Applications are welcome from UK applicants only; ideally with an MSc in a relevant subject area, applicants with a First-Class Honours degree may also be considered.

Location: Huddersfield/Online

Funding: Fee waiver

Duration: 3 years full-time / 6 years part-time