A unique and exciting opportunity for a PhD studentship is available at the University of Edinburgh. This project will aim to understand, develop and evaluate key messages to increase the fidelity and effectiveness of The Daily Mile™ (TDM), driving sustainable and scalable behaviour change that could impact children across the globe. The Daily Mile TM (TDM) is a simple solution to a global challenge. One Scottish Head Teacher seized an opportunity to improve the health of children, and the initiative took off. TDM is now a global charity, with over 5 million children participating across 99 countries. The model remains simple – 15 minutes, during class time, three or more times a week – making it a quick, inclusive, fun tool. Taking part in TDM positively impacts physical activity levels, body composition, fitness, mental health and wellbeing, and cognitive function (e.g. Booth et al, 2020, 2022; Chesham et al, 2018). Scaling physical activity interventions is challenging for policy-makers. Effective interventions often achieve markedly lower effects than pre-scaled trials due to local adaptations made at implementation (Lane et al 2021). Despite widespread uptake and benefits, evidence suggests implementation of the TDM varies across schools, with less than 10% undertaking TDM as intended (Ram et al, 2023). Sustainability is also questioned, with only 1/3 undertaking the minimum “dose” of three times per week (Ram et al, 2023). Ensuring that schools, teachers, parents and pupils understand the components and values of TDM, the suggested implementation, and expected benefits, is key to ensuring successful implementation at scale, longevity, and ultimately changes in population levels of physical activity. One approach to target these factors through education and persuasion is physical activity messaging (Williamson et al., 2020). The Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF) was developed by one of the supervisory team, and is gaining popularity in the physical activity community (Williamson et al, 2021). This studentship aims to develop diverse research skills within a multidisciplinary team as a student is supported to understand, develop, and evaluate key messages to increase the fidelity and effectiveness of TDM. This mixed methods project will have real world impact beyond academia, and the student will be supported to develop strong skills in engagement and impact of research.

Supervision

The academic supervisors are Dr Josie Booth and Dr Chloë Williamson (both University of Edinburgh) and Dr Colin Moran (University of Stirling). The primary supervisor, Dr Josie Booth, is a Developmental Psychologist who works at the forefront of interdisciplinary research on the relationship between physical activity and learning in children and young people and has developed and evaluated numerous school-based interventions. Dr Chloë Williamson is the author of the Physical Activity Messaging Framework, and has helped inform physical activity messaging practices in the UK and beyond. Dr Colin Moran is a molecular exercise physiologist working on a variety of topics including women and girls involvement in sport/exercise, genetics and epigenetics of metabolic disease and of sporting performance, and The Daily Mile physical activity intervention.

The PhD project will build on the successful collaboration which has been developed between Drs Booth and Moran over the last 10 years, where they have undertaken research into the Daily Mile, and from which they jointly published the first evaluation of this innovative programme. The project is a collaboration with The Daily Mile Foundation, so will include close working throughout the duration of the studentship. Exact ways of collaborative working will be developed with the successful candidate, however, we anticipate (and will encourage) an ‘embedded researcher’ approach, whereby the student will immerse themselves in schools and work closely with colleagues at The Daily Mile and be included within organisational meetings where appropriate. The interdisciplinary expertise of the supervision team, wider PAHRC and TDM colleagues means the successful candidate will gain experience in evidence-based physical activity, mixed methods research, and immersive data collection, resulting in a PhD graduate with wide ranging transferable skills.

Supervisory Team:

• First Supervisor: Dr Josie Booth, josie.booth@ed.ac.uk
• Second Supervisor: Dr Chloë Williamson, chloe.williamson@ed.ac.uk
• Third Supervisor: Dr Colin Moran, colin.moran@stir.ac.uk