Skip to main content

The psychology of outdoor advertising

Funding
Funded
Study mode
Full-time
Apply by
Start date
Subject area
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Change country or region

We’re currently showing entry requirements and other information for applicants with qualifications from United Kingdom.

Please select from our list of commonly chosen countries below or choose your own.

If your country or region isn’t listed here, please contact us with any questions about studying with us.

Overview

This fully funded Masters and/or PhD in Psychology offers the opportunity to use psychology research to benefit society through real-world impact. It investigates how outdoor advertising, particularly for meat and dairy products is associated with health and environmental outcomes. The project will use experimental and statistical modelling methods to generate evidence to inform policy change around food, health and climate change.

About this opportunity

An exciting opportunity is available to undertake a fully funded MSc and PhD at the University of Liverpool. This project investigates how outdoor advertising is associated with health and environmental outcomes. In close partnership with Adfree Cities, the student will investigate:

1.      The link between advertising exposure and mental health, using large-scale secondary data and modelling

2.      How advertising shapes social norms for meat and dairy consumption

3.      Whether counter-advertising campaigns (subvertising) can shift perceptions and consumption of meat and dairy products

The project offers the opportunity to develop skills in and apply a broad range of research methods including advanced statistical methods, computational modelling and experimental design, with the aim of generating policy-relevant evidence.

The student will work collaboratively within the Adfree Cities team throughout the project, with hybrid working and in-person placements, including an in-person placement timed to support the launch of a major campaign. Through this partnership, the student will gain hands-on experience in policy engagement, advocacy and public communication. They will contribute to live campaigns, attend meetings with stakeholders (e.g., local government) and help produce reports and policy recommendations.

The studentship includes comprehensive academic training through the University of Liverpool, with two entry pathways:

·      1+3.5 pathway: A one-year funded MSc in Research Methods followed by a 3.5-year PhD

·      +3.5 pathway: Direct entry to the 3.5-year PhD for those with a relevant Master’s

Students on the 1+3.5 pathway will receive training in research design, statistics and programming. During the PhD, the student will lead the design and implementation of the project’s empirical studies, engage in policy-focused dissemination and produce a PhD thesis.

Back to top

Who is this for?

This would be an ideal opportunity for a recently graduated psychology student with an undergraduate and/or Masters degree.

Applicants should:

  • have an undergraduate (1st class hons) or masters degree in psychology or other relevant quantitative subject
  • be excited about the opportunity to work with a non-academic partner (Adfree Cities) to bring about real-world impact of their research
  • -be comfortable using and learning about quantitative data analysis

*applicants with less experience of more advanced quantitative methods, such as computational modelling are welcome, but would likely be required to receive both the funded Masters (1 year) and PhD (3 years) option.

UK/Home students only. ** Please note that to qualify as a home student, a student must have no restrictions on how long they can stay in the UK. In other words, we are unable to sponsor visas. **

Back to top

How to apply

  1. 1. Contact supervisors

    Supervisors

    Dr Charlotte Buckley – 

    https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/charlotte-buckley

    Professor Eric Robinson – 

    https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/eric-robinson

    Dr Matthew Thomas – 

    https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/matthew-thomas

    Nicola Wilks – 

    https://adfreecities.org.uk/author/nicola/

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    To apply for the position, please email Dr Charlotte Buckley charlotte.buckley@liverpool.ac.uk attaching a covering letter (max 1 page), CV, and a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (https://nwssdtp.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/equal-opportunities-monitoring-form.docx)

    Applications will be reviewed on 25th August and will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled

  3. 3. Apply

    Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

Back to top

Funding your PhD

This project is fully funded by a NWSSDTP CASE studentship. Funding covers tuition fees and a monthly stipend, set at the standard UKRI rate (full time £20,780 in 2025/26)

Back to top

Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Back to top