Overview
This studentship explores the economics of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for emerging zoonotic infections, building on evidence of implementation challenges during COVID-19. It aims to develop economic models and define cost-benefit by considering trade-offs between health outcomes and macroeconomic outcomes. The research will establish a utility function for NPIs, identify tipping points, and assess their cost-effectiveness and impact on health inequalities, ultimately informing future epidemic and pandemic preparedness and policy.
About this opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to work with a world-leading team delivering research relevant to public health. This PhD opportunity is funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections (EZI).
NIHR is the UK’s largest funder of health and care research and provides the people, facilities and technology that enables research to thrive. NIHR HPRUs undertake high quality research that enhances the ability of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to protect the public’s health and minimise the health impact of emergencies. There are 13 HPRUs across England
This studentship focuses on economics of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for controlling emerging zoonotic infections (EZIs). NPIs are sometimes called Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM). Globalisation, increasing human encroachment into animal habitats, and rapid global travel mean that the risk of EZIs is increasing. NPIs such as mass asymptomatic testing with self-isolation of positives, and risk mitigation for cultural events, that use a synthetic control analysis approach, had an enormous impact in controlling COVID-19. However, their introduction was not straightforward, with major challenges around their feasibility and acceptability. Most evidence in support of NPIs is from observational and ecological studies. Decisions around NPIs during the pandemic were aimed at saving lives and protecting the NHS. However, many NPIs, especially those which limit civic freedoms and ability to work, have major economic consequences, often not factored into modelling or decision making.
We will characterise and optimise the economic impact of NPIs by developing cost models based on evidence synthesis. We will define cost benefit in terms of short-/long-term health outcomes(e.g. health and social care cost savings and QALYs gained, wellbeing) and macroeconomics(e.g. change in GDP/GVA) and establish a weighting between the two based on data from the COVID-19 pandemic(e.g. stringency of restrictions vs. economic impacts). We will develop a utility function for NPIs and define the ‘tipping point’ and understand if an NPI is a ‘win-win’ – cost effective and able to reduce health inequalities.
This PhD will combine infectious disease epidemiology, economics and policy modelling so would suit someone with a background in several of these areas. It will involve talking to decision makers to understand their priorities and how different outcomes are weighted in decision making.
The exact focus of this PhD will be agreed with the successful applicant based on their own background, and research interests. This is a brief summary.
OUTPUTS AND IMPACTS
Our health economic evaluation of NPIs will support guidance development to respond to a range of emerging infections and support pandemic preparedness.
What we are looking for
First degree in a numerate subject(e.g. Maths, Economics, Psychology).
Masters degree in a relevant subject(e.g. global health, epidemiology, health economics etc) or relevant work experience.
This is a multidisciplinary studentship so candidates will need to be proactive in working across different disciplines and driving their own learning. They will also need to be able to search the policy literature and organize workshops with decision makers to understand priorities.
People from diverse backgrounds have historically been under-represented in the health and social care research talent pipeline. We are committed to addressing under-representation in research training awards and encourage applications from diverse groups.
Support Structure
The student will have PhD supervisor meetings every two weeks initially, then monthly. The student will be hosted in the Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems at University of Liverpool which has a proud history of Public Health research and will benefit from a positive, empowering research community.
About the HPRU-EZI
The HPRU-EZI is a partnership between the Universities of Liverpool, Oxford and Glasgow, Liverpool-STM, London-SHTM and UKHSA. HPRU-EZI has been running since 2014 and supports and strengthens UKHSA in its role protecting England from emerging infections and zoonoses (i.e. those which spread from animals to humans).
For further details please see our brochure and our website:
http://hpruezi.nihr.ac.uk/media/artlflhc/hpru-ezi-brochure.pdf
http://hpruezi.nihr.ac.uk/
This PhD studentship falls under the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions theme.
Who is this opportunity for?
This PhD is 3-years full-time starting around October 2025 and applicants must be eligible for UK programmes – only UK/home fees will be funded.
Candidates should have a first degree in a numerate subject(e.g. Maths, Economics, Psychology) and a Masters degree in a relevant subject (e.g. global health, epidemiology, health economics etc) or relevant work experience. This is a multidisciplinary studentship so candidates will need to be proactive in working across different disciplines and driving their own learning.