Neurodivergence, Homelessness and Social Justice: Co-producing More Inclusive Homelessness Services through an Intersectional Approach

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2027.

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Science and Health within the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences, and will be supervised by Dr Gemma Williams and Dr Jenny Roddis. 

Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 for consumables, conference, project or training costs.

Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.

This funded PhD is only open to new students who do not hold a previous doctoral level qualification.

Homelessness is a major social and public health issue, and emerging research suggests that neurodivergent people are over-represented among people experiencing homelessness. Yet we know relatively little about how different forms of neurodivergence shape experiences of homelessness and accessing support, or how neurodivergence intersects with other forms of marginalisation.

This PhD will explore these questions through a qualitative, participatory approach, informed by Critical Neurodiversity Studies, Critical Disability Studies and intersectional perspectives. The project will begin by mapping existing evidence on neurodivergence, homelessness and access to housing and homelessness services. This will inform empirical research exploring the experiences of neurodivergent people who have encountered homelessness services, alongside the perspectives and practices of homelessness-sector practitioners.

A distinctive feature of the project will be its commitment to research with, rather than simply about, people with lived experience. The successful candidate will have opportunities to develop participatory approaches collaboratively with lived-experience contributors and research partners, and to work towards establishing partnerships with homelessness-sector organisations.

The final stage of the project will bring people with lived experience and practitioners together to interpret findings and identify opportunities for service improvement, with the aim of co-producing recommendations and practical resources for more neuro-inclusive homelessness services.

The successful candidate will have considerable scope to shape the precise research questions, research location and methodology as the project develops. This project is particularly suited to someone interested in neurodiversity, homelessness, social justice, qualitative research, participatory research and/or co-production, and who wants their research to contribute to meaningful change in policy and practice.
 

How to apply

If you have any project-specific questions please contact Dr Gemma Williams ([email protected]) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code PSH50970127 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.