Community Participatory Arts

Methods

Transcultural and transgenerational community participatory arts-based research.

Significance and purpose of this research

People living in socio-economic deprivation, with learning disabilities, or severe mental illness, and from minoritised ethnic communities are amongst the populations most at risk of developing obesity and cardiovascular disease.

We therefore need to find better ways to work with our most high risk communities, to:

1. Help understand the barriers and facilitators to accessing support
2. Improve communication methods to help raise community awareness and promote more tailored research, policy and practice

Aim and objectives

Aim:

To use creative community participatory arts to improve the understanding and communication of the barriers and facilitators to weight management and cardiovascular disease support.

Objectives:

1. Co-design the research plan with the target community. This may include training community peer researchers
2. Use community participatory arts methodologies to understand the barriers and facilitators to cardiovascular and weight management support
3. Co-create a creative output to improve awareness within the target community
4. Create and implement a dissemination plan to share the output to wider policy, practice and research stakeholders
5. Evaluate the impact of the output among the target community, and wider policy, practice and research stakeholders

Expected outcomes/impact

This research will be affiliated to the prestigious NIHR cardiovascular inequalities award, where Leeds Beckett University are part of the Trans Pennine consortium. In addition to the student's doctoral thesis, it is hoped that the research will result in an arts-based output that will be used to share learning with communities, and across the NIHR cardiovascular disease consortium, the Northern Obesity Research Alliance and policy and practice partners across the Integrated Care Boards and Office of Health Improvement and Disparities, to influence change to research, policy and practice.

• Type of funding available: Home (UK) Fees and Stipend
• Stipend value: £21,805 (UKRI 2026/2027 rate)
• Duration of funding: 36 months (three years)

To apply, please visit the application portal which can be found through the Apply Now button. You need to select the project you would like to apply for, and include the application reference number clearly in your application. Please ensure that you include the following documents for a complete application:

• Your research proposal - you are advised to read through the research proposal guidance
• A statement of purpose (maximum 1000 words) that should include:
  • 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 at Leeds Beckett University?
  • How does the proposed research relate to your career goals?
• Scanned copies of your degree certificates (e.g. undergraduate or masters degree certificates) and transcripts
• Scanned copies of your English language qualification
• A current CV - you should include your employment history or other professional experience, including internships
• One academic reference

• Mode of study: Full-time
• Start date: 01 February 2027
• Shortlisting date: TBC (September 2026)
• Interview date: TBC (October 2026)