The King's Foundation Oxford DPhil Scholarships

• Social Prescribing

Social prescribing recognises that various social, economic, and environmental factors can influence well-being. It addresses people’s needs holistically, empowering them to take greater control of their health. It focuses on non-medical needs affecting health or well-being by linking people to local community groups or organisations (e.g., luncheon clubs, walking groups, cultural activities, debt advice) to help address a spectrum of problems, including social isolation, housing issues, or unemployment, with a focus on improving mental health and physical well-being. Research within social prescribing can relate to and draw on the work underway at The King’s Foundation’s Health & Wellbeing Centres.

• Nature 

Research shows that individuals who are more connected to nature or the biosphere are happier and more likely to feel that their lives are worthwhile. Evidence suggests that exposure to natural environments is linked to enhanced cognitive function, increased brain activity, improved blood pressure regulation, better mental health, increased physical activity levels, and improved sleep quality. Studies have also demonstrated the protective effects of nature exposure on mental health outcomes and cognitive function. Additionally, there are positive correlations between spending time in nature, increased physical activity levels and a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Evidence suggests that nature exposure may have a positive impact on conditions such as depression, anxiety, cognitive function, and chronic diseases.

• Urban environments 

Urban environments can support both the biosphere and human well-being, but they also face challenges from pollution and the loss of green spaces. Green urban spaces benefit people and the planet, from parks and gardens to green roofs and urban farms. They provide vital space for physical and mental well-being. Urban areas occupy less than one per cent of the Earth’s land but house more than half its people. Cities and towns are ecosystems whose condition profoundly marks the quality of our lives.

• Integrated Health

Integrated Health takes a holistic approach that encourages participants to focus on the interconnectedness of their mind, body, and spirit when considering their health and well-being. Providing education on health, wellness, and well-being, along with promoting increased movement and activity levels, has led to several benefits. These include enhanced confidence, a greater sense of well-being, purpose, and self-worth, increased participation in activities, improved self-management of chronic conditions, and reduced social isolation.

• Heritage and wellbeing 

The report titled “Heritage Capital and Wellbeing: Examining the Relationship Between Heritage Density and Life Satisfaction,” published by Historic England, shows that, similar to how green spaces positively affect wellbeing, having historic places nearby enhances the quality of life for residents. This benefit applies regardless of whether individuals participate in heritage activities.

We are interested in research projects broadly considering the creative use of heritage assets to promote health and well-being, including heritage-led regeneration and adaptive reuse projects.

Academic Lead

• Professor Carl Heneghan: Clinical epidemiologist with expertise in evidence-based medicine, research methods, and evidence synthesis.

List of potential supervisors

Primary Care and CEBM

• Professor Rafael Perera: Director of Graduate Studies in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and the Director of the Statistics group  (NDPCHS). He is involved in multiple research activities, including monitoring and managing long-term conditions
• Dr Annette Pluddemann: Course Director of the MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care and a Senior Research Fellow focusing on identifying and assessing the evidence for diagnostic tests and technologies likely to have a significant impact.
• Professor Kamal Mahtani: Nationally and internationally recognised Senior Academic GP and Professor of Evidence-Based Healthcare. He co-founded the Oxford Social Prescribing Research Network
• Dr Anne Marie Boylan: Co-Director, DPhil in Evidence-Based Health Care and Lead Coordinator, Qualitative Research Methods. She is an experienced senior researcher with an interest in women’s health, patients’ experience, interactions with the health service and involvement in health research.
• Dr David Nunan: Director, MSc in EBHC Teaching and Education. He is a principal investigator with interests that focus broadly on Prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related conditions, particularly the role of physical activity and exercise.
• Professor Stephanie Tierney is a health services researcher with an interest in long-term conditions, delivery of services and patients’ experiences of care.
• Angela Difeng Wu is a senior researcher and lecturer. Her research interests focus on applying psychological and anthropological knowledge to public health policy and using our understanding of human behaviour to prevent illness and disease.

King’s Foundation

• Dr Sydney Ayers Mercer: Tutor in Architecture & Urbanism at The King’s Foundation, with expertise in heritage regeneration, adaptive reuse, urban histories, loss of heritage, and ideas of taste and value.
• Dr Matthew Hardy: Senior Lecturer at The King’s Foundation, working at the intersection of urbanism, urban morphology, architectural history, and climate change.
• Dr Wilf Middleton: Research Associate at the King’s Foundation, researching the transfer of vernacular and traditional knowledge into modern built environments, with a focus on tree and timber mechanics, digital tools, trees in the built environment, and traditional knowledge systems that make use of trees and timber.
• Dr Simon Sadinsky: Executive Director at the King’s Foundation, overseeing the organisation’s education, health and other charitable activities. Simon’s research focuses on community engagement and place attachment, with a focus on lived experiences and urban space and change.

Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation (GCHU)

• Dr David Howard: Associate Professor and Director of Studies for the Sustainable Urban Development Programme at the University of Oxford and Co-Director of the Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation at Kellogg College
• Dr Juliet Carpenter: Director of Research at the GCHU, with research interests in community engagement, social sustainability and just urban transitions.
• Dr Hannah Grove: Research Fellow at the GCHU, an urban health geographer and planner, with an interest in how social and physical environments influence our health and wellbeing.