Scottish Graduate School of Social Science

Sgoil Cheumnaichean Saidheans Sòisealta na h-Alba
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Scottish Graduate School of Social Science

Sgoil Cheumnaichean Saidheans Sòisealta na h-Alba

Studentship opportunity

All Studentship Opportunities

Integrating Behavioural Theories into Simulation Models to Advance the Health Policy Evaluation Approach in Value-Based Health and Care

This studentship is funded by the ESRC through the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS)

Institution
University of Strathclyde
Pathway
Health, Wellbeing and Communities
Studentship
Steers – AQM
Mode of study

Full-time / Part-time

Application deadline
4pm, 14 April 2022
Applications are due 24 June, 5 pm BST and
References are due 1 July, 5 pm BST

Project details

This research aims to develop an innovative framework that integrates health-seeking behaviour—the actions individuals take when they perceive a health problem, grounded in behavioural theories, into simulation models used for health systems management.

Simulation models are powerful tools for supporting decision-making, allowing for the design, construction, and manipulation of a representation (i.e. a model) of real-world systems to analyse their dynamic behaviours. However, they often overlook the complexities of human behaviour and its influence on higher-level system performance, such as healthcare access and service utilisation, limiting their effectiveness in evaluating health policies. By incorporating health-seeking behaviour, this research will fill a critical gap in existing simulation methods. The research will begin by building a base-case model, excluding theory-based behaviours, using stakeholder input and secondary data. Subsequently, models that integrate health-seeking behaviour informed by different behavioural theories will be developed and tested. These models will be evaluated under different intervention scenarios to explore how the integration of behaviour and specific behaviour change interventions affect system performance, particularly in terms of access and utilisation of primary and community health services.

In collaboration with the Social Marketing Gateway – a consultancy company specialising in social marketing and behavioural change in healthcare–and public health agencies, the project will refine these models to create a practical framework that can guide decision-making in health systems management and healthcare policy. This work supports Scotland’s vision of value-based healthcare, prioritising person-centred approaches and addressing pressures on community health services. The research will provide practical and methodological contributions.

The framework will offer healthcare decision-makers better tools for designing effective interventions, while also expanding the methodological toolkit for integrating behavioural insights into simulation models. Beyond healthcare, the framework could be adapted to other areas of social science where human behaviour impacts system performance, fostering further interdisciplinary research.

Supervisory Team:

  • First Supervisor: Professor Susan Howick, susan.howick@strath.ac.uk
  • Second Supervisor: Dr Le Nguyen, nguyen-le-khanh-ngan@strath.ac.uk

About the University

The University of Strathclyde is a leading international technological university, renowned for excellent education, research and innovation that makes a positive impact on the lives of our students, wider society, and the global communities we serve.

We are based in the heart of Glasgow and are home to over 3,500 staff and 20,000 students from more than 100 countries. We are a top 20 UK university for research intensity, and our work is international in scope and impact. Our enviable connections with business, industry and the public sector enable us to work together to improve health, secure energy supplies, set new standards in manufacturing, create the technologies of tomorrow, and support society and policy. This approach has led to us being named Scottish University of the Year 2024 (Daily Mail University of the Year Awards), Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2023, and University of the Year in 2019 and 2012 (Times Higher Education Awards).

The successful candidate will be based in the Department of Management Science which is part of the triple accredited Strathclyde Business School. The Department is one of the leading Management Science departments in the UK and collaborates with a wide variety of major organisations through applied research and knowledge exchange activities.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Applicants will have a first degree (undergraduate) at 2:1 or above and have a demonstrable interest in the topic area under investigation.
  • Applicants can have a Masters degree, however this is not a requirement.
  • Applicants can study part-time or full-time.

Please note that all applicants must also meet ESRC eligibility criteria. ESRC eligibility information can be found here.

Other criteria include:

  • Applicants should have a degree or background in a relevant area.
  • This would include one of the following three areas:
    1. Quantitative modelling, systems science or computer science
    2. Public health, epidemiology, health science, health systems, or other medical fields
    3. Psychological and social sciences

Funding

As per guidance published by UKRI in October 2020, a maximum of 30% of all studentships awarded can be made to international students, with the remaining 70% going to home students. 

IMPORTANT: The international awards have now been distributed. This studentship is only available for ‘home’ students. 

Residential Criteria

To be classed as a home student, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a UK national (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have settled status, or
  • Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

For more on the UKRI eligibility guidance, click here

As per guidance published by UKRI in October 2020, a maximum of 30% of all studentships awarded can be made to international students, of which SGSSS has now awarded for the 2021/22 round of studentship awards. As such, this opportunity is only open to home students.

Residential Criteria

To be classed as a home student, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a UK national (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have settled status, or
  • Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If you do not meet the criteria above, you will be classed as an international student and will not be eligible to apply. To establish if you would be classed as a home student, please see pages 4 and 5 of the UKRI eligibility guidance here.

Award details

The scholarship is available as a +3.5 (3 year PhD and placement) or a 1+3.5 (Masters year, 3 year PhD, and a placement) studentship depending on prior research training. This will be assessed as part of the recruitment process, however you can access guidance here to help you decide on which to apply for. The programme will commence in October 2025. The full ESRC studentship package includes, as advised by ESRC:

  • An annual maintenance grant (stipend)
  • Fees at the standard institutional home rate
  • Students can also draw on a pooled Research Training Support Grant (RTSG)

Other information

N/A

How to apply

  1. Applicants must register on SGSSS Apply, completing their Equal Opportunities data.
  2. Applicants must apply via SGSSS Apply, uploading the following documentation:

    • Application Questions (answered within SGSSS Apply, no upload needed)
    • Academic transcripts
    • Academic prizes
    • Referee information
    • CV
    • Other information (if required by the advert)
We strongly encourage applicants review the applicant guidance document for more on the process. 

Please Note:

  • This is not an application to the relevant University, this is an application for SGSSS (ESRC) funding.
  • Students do not need a Masters/PhD offer from the relevant University before they can apply for funding, i.e. this studentship.
  • If successful in obtaining the SGSSS (ESRC) studentship, students can only start the funded studentship once they have an unconditional Masters/PhD degree offer from the relevant University. It is your responsibility to find out the University’s application process, including when you need to secure your offer, as SGSSS plays no role in this process.

This studentship opportunity will open for applications on 9th June.

Apply now via SGSSS Apply

Selection process

Applications will be ranked by an internal institutional selection panel, and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted for interview on or around 16 July. Interviews will take place 22nd July.

This studentship award is subject to the successful candidate securing admission to a PhD programme within the University of Strathclyde. The successful candidate will be invited to apply for admission to the relevant PhD programme.

Contact details

Name
SGSSS Team (for questions on the application portal, only), for any questions on the project, email the first & second supervisors (see details in abstract above)
Email
team@sgsss.ac.uk

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