Football Association (The FA) funded PHD looking at Strategies to Support Injured Adolescents

Project: Development of strategies to support injured adolescents, and minimise the negative impact associated with injury 

Director of Studies: Prof Kevin Till

Supervisors: Dr Laurie Patterson

Physical education (PE) and sport participation are two key contexts for adolescents to undertake physical activity. Participation within PE and sport offers many health and performance benefits (Eime et al., 2013). However, one negative consequence of PE and sport participation is the risk of injury, including long-term injuries (e.g., anterior cruciate ligament injury). Such long-term injuries can have significant implications for an individual’s health-related quality of life (e.g., Dipnall et al., 2022), especially during adolescence when there are a range of holistic developmental outcomes (e.g., physical, academic, psychological, psychosocial). Therefore, to maintain health-related quality of life and appropriate holistic development for adolescents, understanding the impacts (defined here as the outcomes, results and consequences, both positive and negative, as well as short-term and long-term; Thompson et al., 2022) associated with injury during adolescence is important. Furthermore, it is recommended that injured adolescents require support during these times to manage and support their injury and holistic development. However, limited research is available examining such strategies. This understanding would enable schools and organisations to develop strategies to support injured adolescents to maximise positive and minimise negative impacts associated with injury. 

Therefore, this PhD would look to:
1. Investigate the short and long-term impacts of injury in adolescents, establishing any differences between males and females;
2. Identify the current practices and barriers regarding supporting injured adolescents in English secondary schools;
3. Co-develop strategies (with teachers) to support the injured adolescent in school, and  
4. Assess the suitability/feasibility of these strategies in the English secondary school environment.  

Please note it is important that you include the reference '2026-October-The FA/CSS-PHD2' when you submit your application.

A laptop will be provided

Stipend Value: £20,780

Stipends are tax-free and paid pro-rata in monthly payments

The successful candidates would ideally have: 2:1 or higher in a relevant undergraduate degree.

For those whose first language is not English you must also have an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual score below 6.5 in order for applicants to obtain a CAS and Visa.

The PHD Studentship will be awarded to the strongest applications assessed on the applicant’s academic excellence, the strength of the research proposal and how the proposal fits with the research project.

To apply, please go to the application portal which can be found through the 'Apply Now' button.

Please make sure that you complete the application process in full and also provide the following additional information:

Please note it is important that you include the reference '2026-October-The FA/CSS-PHD2' when you submit your application.

1. RESEARCH PROPOSAL (include title and project reference)

Your research proposal must outline the topic of your proposed research, the questions it will address and some indication of how you will conduct your research. It is an integral part of the application process. It should be no more than 2000 words in length (not including references) and must include the research project title and reference.

The criteria listed below will be used in both selecting those applicants who will be called for interview and those who will be successful in securing a PGR award, and these should help you form your research proposal.

a) Context and significance of your research
Please outline the significance and originality of your proposed research, indicating:  aims, relationship to previous research in the field, research question(s) you are seeking to answer.
b) Research design and methods
Please outline the design of your proposed research, indicating: methodology and methods, a timetable for completion of the PGR award, ethical considerations that your research may raise.
c) Dissemination and impact
Please identify:  possible opportunities to disseminate your research to academic audiences during your PGR programme, the ways in which your research might be relevant outside academia.

You are strongly advised to discuss your proposal with the named Supervisor(s) before making your application.

How applications will be assessed Your application will be considered by a Carnegie School of Sport selection panel. The panel will evaluate applications based on the quality of the proposal, preparedness of the applicant and feasibility of the research project.

2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 
This should be a maximum of 1000 words outlining: What knowledge, skills, and training would you bring to the proposed research? This may include relevant academic study, relevant experience as a professional or practitioner, and any specific training in research skills/methods.  Why do you want to undertake this research in the Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University. How does the proposed research relate to your career goals.

3. CV
A current CV, including your employment history or other professional experience, including internships. 

• Please state clearly that you are applying for a Carnegie School of Sport studentship and include the reference 2026-October-The FA/CSS-PHD2.
• The closing date for applications is midnight on 8th June 2026.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.
• We aim to hold in person interviews for shortlisted applicants during the week of 24th June 2026.
• For queries about applying please contact Research Admissions
• We regret that we are not able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within four weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

The studentship funding is subject to contract.

Suggested Reading:

1. Dipnall, J. F., Rivara, F. P., Lyons, R. A., Ameratunga, S., Brussoni, M., Lecky, F. E., . & Gabbe, B. J. (2022). Predictors of health-related quality of life following injury in childhood and adolescence: a pooled analysis. Injury prevention, 28(4), 301-310. https://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2021-044309

2. Eime, R. M., Young, J. A., Harvey, J. T., Charity, M. J. and Payne, W. R. (2013) A Systematic Review of the Psychological and Social Benefits of Participation in Sport for Children and Adolescents: Informing Development of a Conceptual Model of Health through Sport. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10 (1), p. 98. 

3. Forsdyke D; Smith A; Jones M; Gledhill A (2017) Infographic: Psychosocial factors associated with outcomes of sports injury rehabilitation in competitive athletes. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51 (7), pp. 561-561. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097467

4. Haugen, E. (2022). Athlete Mental Health & Psychological Impact of Sport Injury. Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine, 30(1), 150898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otsm.2022.150898

5. Janssen, I., & LeBlanc, A. G. (2010). Systematic review of the health benefits of physical activity and fitness in school-aged children and youth. International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 7, 1-16.

6. Rosen, P. von, Frohm, A., Kottorp, A., Fridén, C. and Heijne, A. (2017) Multiple Factors Explain Injury Risk in Adolescent Elite Athletes: Applying a Biopsychosocial Perspective. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 27 (12) December, pp. 2059–2069. 

7. Thompson F, Rongen F, Cowburn I & Till K. (2022) The Impacts of Sports Schools on Holistic Athlete Development: A Mixed Method Systematic Review. Sports Medicine. 52(8):1879-1917. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01664-5 .

8. Thompson F, Rongen R, Cowburn I & Till K. (2024) A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Case Study Investigation of the Academic, Athletic, Psychosocial and Psychological Impacts of Being a Sport School Student-Athlete, Sports Medicine. 54(9):2423-2451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-024-02021-4