This PhD will co-design AI-enhanced, community-led cancer awareness pathways to improve early diagnosis and research engagement among underserved groups in Merseyside. The candidate will combine participatory co-design, quantitative and qualitative methods, and digital/AI tools to create scalable public health solutions addressing cancer inequalities. There is flexibility within the project, depending on the candidate’s skills and interests.
Early diagnosis is one of the most powerful determinants of cancer survival, yet inequalities in symptom awareness, access to healthcare, and participation in cancer research persist across the UK. In Merseyside, one of the most socioeconomically deprived regions in England, these disparities are intensified by low health literacy, cultural barriers, limited trust in research institutions, and unequal access to diagnostic pathways . Many cancers, including pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers, disproportionately affect communities with high deprivation, certain ethnic minority groups, and people with long-term chronic conditions [1, 2]. These inequities contribute to later-stage presentation and reduced engagement in potentially life-saving clinical research.
Early diagnosis is one of the strongest determinants of cancer survival, yet profound inequalities in symptom awareness, access to care, and participation in cancer research persist across the UK. In Merseyside, one of England’s most socioeconomically deprived regions, these disparities are intensified by low health literacy, cultural and language barriers, mistrust of institutions, and unequal access to diagnostic pathways. These factors contribute to later-stage presentation for cancers such as pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers, all of which disproportionately affect communities experiencing deprivation and certain ethnic minority groups. This PhD will address these inequities by co-designing culturally relevant cancer awareness pathways in partnership with local residents, widening participation schools, voluntary-sector organisations, and healthcare stakeholders.
The project will use participatory and mixed-methods approaches, including qualitative research, quantitative surveys, behavioural insights, community mapping, and AI-supported analytical tools, to generate scalable, community-led solutions that improve early symptom recognition, confidence in navigating primary care, and readiness to engage in cancer research [3]
Research Aims
What the Candidate Will Do
The candidate will lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of a community-based mixed-methods project focused on tackling cancer inequalities.
Phase 1 – Discovery & Data Mapping
Phase 2 – Co-Design of Community-Led Interventions
Phase 3 – Implementation & Evaluation
Training, Collaboration & Project Flexibility
The student will receive in-depth training in mixed-methods research, quantitative analysis (Python/R/SPSS), qualitative coding (NVivo), AI and machine learning applications in public health, and participatory co-design.
They will work closely with community partners, NHS stakeholders, and interdisciplinary supervisors, including digital health/AI expertise, to develop strong transferable skills.
While the project has clear overarching aims, there is flexibility for the candidate to shape methodological depth according to their interests. Students with data science strengths may enhance the AI component; those with behavioural or public engagement backgrounds may expand co-design and intervention development. This ensures a focused but adaptable PhD, enabling a distinctive contribution to cancer inequalities research.
This PhD is ideal for highly motivated candidates with a 2:1 UK Bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) in public health, psychology, sociology, global health, health data science, or a related discipline (Biomedical Sciences). We especially welcome applicants with experience or interest in community-based research, health inequalities, patient engagement, or digital/AI-enabled methods, and those passionate about improving cancer outcomes in underserved populations.
Email Lorna Young – lorna.young@liverpool.ac.uk any enquiries
| Supervisors | Email address | Staff profile URL |
| Dr Lorna Young | Lorna.young@liverpool.ac.uk | Dr Lorna Young |
| Dr Ffion Curtis | ffion.curtis@liverpool.ac.uk | Dr Ffion Curtis | Our people | University of Liverpool |
| Mr Ben McGrae | B.Mcgrae@liverpool.ac.uk | Mr Ben McGrae |
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Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,238
Part-time place, per year - £2,619
Full-time place, per year - £32,200
Part-time place, per year - £16,100
Fees stated are for 2026/27 academic year
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this project, as well as general student living costs.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.
We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £23,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).
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