AHRC East Midlands Sustainable Living and Mental Wellbeing PhD

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EM-SLAM (East Midlands Sustainable Living and Mental Wellbeing) as an AHRC Doctoral Focal Award beginning in 2026 and lasting for seven years. It is situated at the nexus of Environmental and Health Humanities to address what it means to live in an inclusive, sustainable, flourishing community and demands a conjoined approach that maps to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. EM-SLAM is a collaborative programme, led by Loughborough University with De Montfort University (DMU), University of Leicester and Nottingham Trent University (NTU). It works with five anchor partners: Mental Health Foundation, Leicestershire Partnership and Northamptonshire Healthcare Associate University Group, BrightSparks Arts in Mental Health CIO, and the National Memorial Arboretum, alongside a network of vital smaller partners including: the Centre for Mental Health, the National Forest, Generator, Fearon Hall, Charnwood Arts, Active Together, the Design in Mental Health Network and the National Justice Museum.

In collaboration with partners, EM-SLAM will:

• uncover, define and promote preventive measures in mental health provision and sustainability policies rather than (only) focusing on diagnosis or catastrophe.
• determine hopeful responses to the crises in mental health and sustainability, focused around three guiding principles: activism, advocacy and agency.
• promote small-scale, local interventions with particular focus on the social benefits of arts and culture.
• illustrate how storytelling is a valuable and ethical way of amplifying unheard voices, challenging passivity and apathy, and promoting curiosity and action.

Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degrees
• Doctoral Degree Characteristics Statement (QAA)
• Credit Level Descriptors for Higher Education (SEEC)
• Loughborough University Quadrennial Reviews
• Research Council mid-term review
• UKRI Expectations for Doctoral Training 

Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, Doctoral Researchers should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:

1. subject-specific literature applicable to their area of research
2. relevant storytelling methods and techniques applicable to their area of research

Skills and other attributes

Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, Doctoral Researchers should be able to:

1. lead on the creation, development and implementation of a significant programme of research that will lead to new knowledge disseminated through the production of a PhD thesis
2. demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field
3. critically evaluate current research and research techniques and methodologies

Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, Doctoral Researchers should be able to:

1. have knowledge of, and be able to apply, appropriate methods used in their field
2. understand by practical experience the benefits of storytelling methods for external partners

Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, Doctoral Researchers should be able to

1. act autonomously in the planning and implementation of research
2. clearly present material and arguments orally and in writing, to a range of audiences
3. have self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems
4. report research outcomes in an appropriate way for the intended audience
5. demonstrate time management and organisational skills to plan and implement efficient and effective modes of working
6. develop industry-relevant competencies and skills to improve readiness for roles in and beyond academia.

University Regulations for Postgraduate Research study are set out in Regulation XXVI (Higher Degrees by Research). 

Please see the Terms and Conditions of Study for detailed information on your contract with the University.

Part R1

Doctoral Researchers will complete the following:

• Doctoral Researchers are normally expected to complete 10 days per annum of professional development training.
• Submission of a 2,000-word research report at the mid-way point of Part R1 and submission of a satisfactory 10,000-word research report (end of Part report) towards the end of Part R1 in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI.

Typically, the timetable for reports in R1 will follow the schedule below.

Part R2

Doctoral Researchers will complete the following:

• Full-time Doctoral Researchers are normally expected to complete 10 days per annum of professional development training, with part-time Doctoral Researchers completing a suitable equivalent.
• Submission of a satisfactory 10,000-word research report (end of Part report) towards the end of Part R1 in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI.

Typically, the timetable for reports in R2 will follow the schedule below.

Part R3

Doctoral Researchers will complete the following:

• Full-time Doctoral Researchers are normally expected to complete 10 days per annum of professional development training.

Typically, the timetable for reports in R3 will follow the schedule below.

To progress from Part R1 to Part R2 and from Part R2 to Part R3, and to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the assessment requirements set out in Regulation XXVI. Candidates must complete all the requirements for each Part outlined above in order to progress to the next Part. If an end of part report does not meet the standards required for progression, candidates may undertake further work and resubmit the report on one occasion only in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XXVI.

In keeping with the requirements of the AHRC, four years (eight years part time) is the maximum time allowed for the completion of the PhD with submission due at the end of part R3.