PhD Studentship: Enhancing Prescribing Practices Through Sociomaterial Feedback Conversations
A funded PhD opportunity to redesign healthcare materials for safer prescribing practices via international collaboration between the UK and Australia.
Best for:Best for healthcare researchers, sociologists, or designers with an interest in mixed-methods research, co-design, and international healthcare collaboration.
Overview
This PhD studentship at the University of Exeter focuses on improving prescribing practices in healthcare through sociomaterial design. The project aims to redesign materials used in prescribing processes—such as prescriptions, drug charts, and electronic records—to embed feedback conversations that reduce errors and enhance patient safety. The research spans two phases: tracing materials through patient journeys in UK and Australian hospitals, and co-designing new tools with stakeholders. The successful candidate will collaborate internationally, travel between the UK and Australia, and contribute to a sociomaterial study bridging healthcare systems and design innovation. The studentship covers full tuition fees and a tax-free stipend for three years, with access to training in qualitative research and clinical education.
What you'll do
- Conduct mixed-methods research to trace and redesign materials used in prescribing processes across UK and Australian healthcare settings.
- Collaborate with stakeholders—including healthcare professionals and clinicians—to co-design new materials that embed feedback conversations in daily prescribing practices.
- Travel between the UK and Australia for data collection and fieldwork, ensuring cross-border research engagement.
- Present research findings at conferences and seminars, and engage with the University of Exeter’s doctoral community and Applied Research Collaboration South West.
- Develop and implement qualitative research methods, including literature reviews, interviews, and participatory design workshops.
- Leverage sociomaterial theory to analyze how materials and social interactions shape prescribing practices.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field such as healthcare studies, sociology, design, public health, or a related discipline.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; proficiency suitable for academic research and clinical collaboration (no specific test score mentioned).
Instruction: English
- Experience or strong interest in mixed-methods research, including qualitative and co-design approaches.
- Ability to conduct fieldwork and engage with healthcare professionals in clinical settings.
- Familiarity with sociomaterial theory or related frameworks in healthcare innovation.
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally between the UK and Australia for data collection.
- Proficiency in conducting literature reviews and academic writing.
- Eligible for Home tuition fee status (UK residents or international students meeting specific criteria).
- No explicit age or residency restrictions beyond eligibility for Home tuition fees.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-16
Applicants must submit their application through the University of Exeter’s official funding portal. The application should include a CV, a cover letter outlining research interest and suitability, academic transcripts, and two references. Additional documents may be requested depending on the application’s progress.
- CV
- Cover letter
- Academic transcripts (BSc and MSc)
- Two reference letters
Contact
Admissions Office· PhD Admissions Coordinator
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