Program Overview

Key facts

Start dates

September 2025 / October 2025

Application deadline

Friday 17 January 2025 - 12 noon.

Location

Headington

Course length

Full time: 3 years

School(s)

School of Psychology, Social Work and Public Health

Supervisor(s)

Professor Luci Wiggs

More details

Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants with settled or pre-settled status
Bursary p.a: equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend plus fees (2024/25 bursary rate is £19,237)
University fees and bench fees will be met by the University for the 3 years of the funded Studentship.

This course is not available to students classed as International for fees purposes.

Overview

Sleep**** problems are common in children and young people and are associated with many adverse effects on psychological and physical functioning (for the child and their carers). Children in care (CiC) (84,000 in England in 2024) have increased risk for sleep disturbance for many reasons. Our preliminary work has found that UK foster carers (FCs) commonly encounter sleep difficulties in CiC and that they need support to manage these issues as night-time difficulties are a source of stress and a potential cause of placement breakdown.

Unfortunately, FCs report numerous barriers to getting the sleep-related help they need, including challenges seeking and accessing appropriate support and also practical difficulties with implementing advice they do receive. Although there are evidenced ways to manage children’s sleep difficulties, the particular requirements of this population need to be understood so that resources and advice can be tailored for this group of children and their carers.

Additional details

This PhD would aim to:

1. understand the special considerations of managing sleep in CiC
2. co-produce resources to best meet the sleep-related needs of CiC and those who care for them and
3. develop recommendations for how FCs and CiC are supported around sleep.

The research would likely utilise qualitative and co-production methodologies with FCs and other professionals involved in their care. The successful applicant will be expected to design studies, collect and analyse data, and report findings.

There is an additional requirement to undertake up to 6 hours undergraduate teaching/week during semesters and to participate in a teaching skills course.

Supervisory team: Prof Luci Wiggs and Dr Georgia Cook.

How to apply

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or upper second-class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification.

English language requirements

EU applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.

Application process

Please prepare your application according to the application guideline instructions.

Tuition fees

2025 / 26

Research degree fees and project costs

University fees and bench fees will be met by the University for 3 years. Bursary is equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend (current rate for 24/25

• £19,237)