Subject areas:
Psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience.
Funding type:
Research Training & Support Grant.
Stipend.
Tuition fee.
Awarding body:
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP).
Sport and exercise science and sport psychology focused PhD fully funded by ESRC LISS doctoral training programme. Working with partner Neurodiverse Sport on accessible coaching
Award details
The idea of neurodiversity or being neurodivergent, as opposed to neurotypical, emerged in the 1960s in relation to autism, but now encompasses several conditions. The most common of which are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Conditions and dyslexia.
There is little evidence on how to support neurodivergent individuals in engagement with sports and physical activity across levels of performance. The overarching aim of the PhD is to work alongside our partner organisation, Neurodiverse Sport, to build a better evidence base understand the experiences of neurodivergent individuals in sport at all levels and develop best practice guidance for neurodivergent-inclusive sport.
Internship: During the PhD, the candidate will undertake a two-month placement with Neurodiverse Sport with a further four weeks set aside to translate findings to other sports stakeholders. The exact format will be determined at the start of the PhD to fit the needs of the student and partner.
The project will be based in the Department of Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and working with the Multidisciplinary Occupational Research for Performance and Health (MORPH) Lab and ADHD Lab within in the department.
See the link below for more information.
Postgraduate research degrees at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience
Supervisors
Dr Oliver R Runswick
Professor Eleanor Dommett
Award value
This opportunity is available as a +3.5 (PhD only) or 1+3.5 (Master’s + PhD). CASE studentships include UKRI Home Tuition Fees, plus a stipend at the UKRI rate costs of research consumables. There will also be opportunities to apply for additional funding in aid of the student’s training development and research activity.
*International students may apply but if successful the LISS will only cover Home Fees and acceptance is dependent on independently securing funding for the difference between home and international fees.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants applying to a CASE studentship must meet the ESRC eligibility guidelines in terms of residency and academic qualifications, specifically core social science research methods training that must already have been undertaken (up to +3.5 awards) or will be undertaken at Masters level (up to 1+3.5 awards). Please check these guidelines before making an application.
Applicants should have (or be to obtain) a bachelor’s degree with 2:1 honours (or Overseas equivalent). A 2:2 degree may be considered only where applicants also offer a master’s with Merit.
Award conditions
About LISS CASE studentships
Application process
Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal by midnight (23:59 GMT), Wednesday 19 February 2025.
On the ‘Choosing a programme’ page, please select Psychology Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time).
In your application, you will be asked to include:
- Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
- Details of your qualifications – you will need to attach copies
- Details of previous employment – please include your CV
- A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
- A copy of the LISS CASE application form (see further down). This form should be downloaded and completed and then uploaded with your application
- Academic References – all admissions applications require one supporting reference. If the applicant is relying on their referees to submit a reference directly to the College after they have submitted their admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that (1) their chosen referee is made aware of the funding deadline (i.e. 7 days from application deadline) and (2) that the reference needs to be sent from an institutional email address.
A copy of the LISS CASE application form. This form should be downloaded and completed and then uploaded with your application.
You should also complete the LISS-DTP diversity monitoring form.
In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: (OR-LISS-NDSPORT-25)
Please note there is no need to complete the Research Proposal section in your application as the project has already been set.
You are welcome to email oliver.runswick@kcl.ac.uk for more information regarding the project and studentship. If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Education support team at ioppn.pgr@kcl.ac.uk. References must be received by the deadline for the applicant to be eligible. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Application forms
CASE Application Form_2025 Entry_Oliver Runswick (0.12 MB)
Selection process
Applicants will be shortlisted in the week following the application deadline and invited to interview on the 11 March 2025.