Area
Medicine
Location
UK Other
Closing Date
Monday 13 April 2026
Reference
MED2043
Principal supervisors:
Dr Thomas Bestwick-Stevenson (School of Medicine), Teaching Associate – thomas.bestwick-
Professor Kimberely Edwards (School of Medicine, Professor of Sport, Exercise, and Nutrition Education –
This project is not funded, and we are seeking a student who can self-fund the PhD.
Programme description: The overall theme of this PhD programme is to examine risk factors of suffering an ankle sprain and/or recovering poorly from the injury. This is important as ankle sprains are a common injury (in both the general population and physically active population) as well as being one which many people do not recover well from and often suffer a reinjury. Thus, the injury has a high prevalence and can produce lifestyle limiting symptoms, which has an impact on both the individual and health care providers, and can also be a financial burden.
However relatively little is known about risk factors for both suffering the injury and recovering poorly from it. Consequently, this PhD would aim to explore factors related to suffering and/or recovering from ankle sprains.
The research team currently works on ongoing studies which examines aspects related to this (for example the significant ankle ligament injury study). This PhD may use or expand on some aspects of these studies.
PhD description: The project could use different methods to address differing aspect of this topic and could be reliant on both the interest of the student and supervisory team, plus what is found through the process of the research.
Further information: Applicants should have at least a 2:1 in a relevant degree (for example but not limited to Sport Science/Medicine/Rehab, Public Health, Medicine), and ideally a relevant Master's degree (for example but not limited to Sport Science/Medicine/Rehab, Public Health, Medicine).
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Thomas Bestwick-Stevenson, thomss.bestwiick-
To apply, candidates should send their CV and a short cover letter (<1000 words) outlining why they are applying to be part of this PhD programme and what they believe they can offer to: Thomas Bestwick-Stevenson Thomas.Bestwick- .The email subject line should be: "ANKLE SPRAIN PHD APPLICATION". Candidates should also provide the contact details for 2 referees, one of whom should be their most recent academic supervisor (or line manager in relevant employment, if applicable). Please note, offers of study will be subject to 2 satisfactory references being received.
Closing Date for Applications: Monday April 13 th 2026
Provisional Interview Date: Friday April 24 th 2026
PhD Start Date: 1 st June 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.
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