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Postgraduate research

Collaborative Research Hub

Qualification: PhD

Departments: Cardiovascular Sciences Neuroscience Psychology and Behaviour GGE

Application deadline: 30 November 2025

Start date: 1 April 2026

Overview

What is Collaboratory?

Logo with the words 'Collaboratory Universities Partnership'Collaboratory is an innovative, community-driven doctoral training initiative designed to make research more inclusive, practical, and impactful. Funded by Research England Development Fund, it is a £7.4 million investment over eight years, and is a collaboration between Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham, Â鶹ÊÓƵ, Loughborough University and De Montfort University.

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Purpose

To embed local voices at the heart of doctoral research. The Collaboratory connects PhD researchers with communities, public bodies, and civic partners to co-create projects that address real-world challenges across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and the wider region.

Key features

  • Fully funded PhD studentships (three-year, full-time).
  • Civically engaged research: projects developed with community partners, ensuring research benefits local people and organisations.
  • Inclusive access: open to applicants from all backgrounds, including those without a traditional academic pathway.
  • Collaborative training environment: researchers join a supportive network of academics, practitioners, and community groups.
  • Regional impact: projects focus on local and regional priorities, contributing to sustainable social, cultural, and economic change.

Who it's for

Ideal for applicants who are:

  • Passionate about community-focused research.
  • Interested in solving practical challenges through academic study.
  • Seeking a supportive doctoral community that values collaboration and impact.

Why it matters

Collaboratory reimagines what a PhD can be — moving beyond campus walls to create research that is rooted in place, responsive to real needs, and inclusive of diverse voices.

Collaborative Research Hub Projects

Projects

Investigating perceptions of the National Childhood Measurement Programme in schools to co-create improved resources to support young children’s health and wellbeing

  • School/department: School of Psychology and Vision Sciences
  • Lead Academic Supervisor: Dr Florence Sheen (Â鶹ÊÓƵ)
  • Academic Co-Supervisor: Dr Elizabeth Stamp (Loughborough University)
  • Academic Co-Supervisor: Dr Hannah White (Loughborough University)
  • Community Supervisor: Hollie Hutchinson (Leicestershire County Council)

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Seasons of Wellbeing: Improving the health and wellbeing of the Beaumont Leys community through the great outdoors of Bradgate Park

  • School/department: School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
  • Lead Academic Supervisor: Dr Tess Osborne (Â鶹ÊÓƵ)
  • Academic Co-Supervisor: Dr Mark Charlton (De Montfort University)
  • Academic Co-Supervisor: Dr Danny Longman (Loughborough University)
  • Community Supervisor: Dr Jack Matthews (Charnwood Forest Geopark)

Exploring sleep priorities in children from South-Asian families in Leicester

  • School/department: School of Psychology and Vision Sciences
  • Lead Academic Supervisor: Dr Jayne Spiller (Â鶹ÊÓƵ)
  • Academic Co-Supervisor: Dr Iuliana Hartescu (Loughborough University)
  • Community Supervisor: Lynda Hartley (Leicester City Hubs (Leicester City Council)

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Targeted educational interventions to improve bystander response and improve outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the South Asian community

  • School/department: Cardiovascular Sciences
  • Lead Academic Supervisor: Dr William Toff (Â鶹ÊÓƵ)
  • Academic Co-Supervisor: Professor Ivan Browne (De Montfort University)
  • Community Supervisor: Mr Kirit Mistry (South Asian Health Action UK)
  • Community Supervisor: Dr Doug Skehan (Heartwize)

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Funding

Funding

3-years, full-time.

UKRI stipend and UK Home Student tuition fees covered.

Conference and fieldwork budget of £500 per year.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Our PhD Studentship Scheme is open to all UK based candidates (who are eligible for UK Home Students fees) who hold at least a 2.1 Undergraduate degree (or 2.2 or less with a Masters), or those who are able to demonstrate that they have equivalent professional experience. See our latest eligibility criteria in full.

Informal enquiries

Informal enquiries

Project enquiries - please email the relevant supervisor. Supervisor profiles are on the project descriptions.

How to apply

How to apply

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Late applications will not be considered.

What happens after you have submitted your application?

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by 14 February 2026 via email and will be invited for interview during the week commencing 24 February 2026.

Please ensure you are available for the whole week as if you are invited for interview, we are unable to offer any alternative interview dates/time.

Eligibility

Eligibility

Our PhD Studentship Scheme is open to all UK based candidates (who are eligible for UK Home student fees).

To be classed as a UK/ home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:

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

*EU applicants who hold EU settled or EU pre-settled status please provide PGR Admissions with a share code (the one that starts with S) so we can verify your fee status. Please email pgrapply@le.ac.uk.

You must hold at least a 2.1 undergraduate degree (or 2.2 or less with a Masters), or those who are able to demonstrate that they have equivalent professional experience. .

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