Funded studentships

Our transdisciplinary PhD projects cover aspects of women's reproductive health and wellbeing in relation to sport and exercise.

Successful candidates will explore a range of topics relating to the role of sport and exercise on the health and wellbeing of women at different stages of life.

These topics include the effects of the menstrual cycle, barriers to exercise during pregnancy, and the role of exercise for women living through perimenopause and menopause.

Our studentship topics

We are delighted to have successfully recruited to the opportunities described below, but please review the projects in which our students are engaged.

The physiological and perceptual effects of the menstrual cycle on performance in female cyclists

Student: Meg Smith
Supervisors: Dr Emma O'Donnell, Dr Richard Ferguson, Dr Laura Barrett and Dr Nikki Milne (Assistant Dean of Research for Health Sciences and Medicine - Bond University, Australia)

The effect of the menstrual cycle on breast movement and support requirements during physical activity

Student: Bahira El-Mantawi
Supervisors: Dr Rebbeca Grant, Dr Emma O’Donnell and Professor Andy Harland

Examining fear of movement as a barrier to sport and exercise in pregnant and postpartum women

Student: Morgan Rogers
Supervisors: 
Dr Emma Pullen, Dr Aimee Mears, Professor Emily Rousham and Dr Ines Varela-Silva

An investigation of biomechanical changes in women during pregnancy and their implications for sports product design

Student: Rue Rupprecht
Supervisors: Dr Aimee Mears, Dr Emma Pullen and Professor Emily Rousham

Navigating midlife and exercise: understanding motivation, barriers and pathways to engagement

Student: Morgan Miller
Supervisors: Dr Gemma Witcomb, Dr Florence Kinnafick and Dr Carolyn Plateau

'They think it's all over. It is now': the experience of professional female football players in England leaving the game

Student: Mariama Ifode-Blease
Supervisors: Dr Gemma Witcomb and Dr Susana Monserrat-Revillo