Nature-based Social Prescribing
Nature-based social prescribing for people with intellectual disability
This project is part of the UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship Scheme
Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend and a one-off Global Mobility Grant to conduct international engagement activities.
People with intellectual disability experience inequities in cardiometabolic health and often face barriers to physical activity, social connection and participation in community life.
This PhD will explore whether nature-based social prescribing can help address these gaps by connecting people with accessible activities in nature, such as walking groups, gardening and other community programs.
The project will first map nature-based activities and assess how accessible they are for people with intellectual disability and cardiometabolic conditions. It will then work with people with intellectual disability, supporters and community organisations to understand preferences, barriers and the supports needed for participation.These findings will inform the co-design of an adapted nature-prescription pathway, which will be tested in a small feasibility pilot.
The research will bring together expertise in intellectual disability health, population health, social prescribing and nature-based interventions, with the aim of developing an inclusive approach that can inform future larger-scale research and implementation.
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- Residency: Domestic applicants only.
- Degree program: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
You must meet the minimum requirements below to apply:
- An appropriate Bachelor degree with first or upper second class Honours from UNSW: OR
- A completed Master by Research, with a substantial research component and demonstrated capacity for timely completion of a high-quality research thesis; OR
- a qualification from another tertiary institution at a level considered equivalent by the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (HDC)
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Eligible applicants must contact the Primary Supervisor, Maryann Barrington - maryann.barrington@unsw.edu.au. If she agrees to supervise you, you will be invited to submit a formal application to UNSW.
Your email should include:
- CV
- Official academic transcripts
- A brief introduction about you and why you are qualified for this project.
- What interests you about this project and the supervisor(s) expertise.
Research project overview
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Scholarship value
$39,991 per annum (2027 rate) stipend for 3.5 years
$25,000 Global Mobility Grant (one-off) -
Supervisory team
Dr Maryann Barrington (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
A/Prof Jane Lloyd (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Prof Xiaoqi Feng (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Dr Angelia Sia (National University of Singapore, Co-Supervisor)
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Global research partner
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Candidate residency
Domestic
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Degree program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
UNSW School | Research area
Faculty of Medicine & Health | National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health
Impact focus area
Pillar 8: Enable healthy lives
Learn more
Supervisors
Do you have questions?
The UNSW Graduate Research School manages all postgraduate research applications and scholarships. Get in touch with our team to discuss your research interests and the next steps.