Peer support for individuals affected by alopecia areata: Understanding best practice

An opportunity to apply for a funded full-time PhD in the College of Health, Science and Society, UWE Bristol. The studentship will be funded by Alopecia UK

Ref: 2526-OCT-CHSS04

The expected start date of this studentship is 1 October 2025

The closing date for applications is 13 July 2025.

This is an exciting opportunity to conduct a funded full-time PhD on the topic of peer support for individuals affected by alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition causing hair loss.

The successful candidate will benefit from the opportunities presented by being part of a thriving internationally recognised university research centre, the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR). CAR is focused on improving the lives of people affected by appearance concerns, including those associated with appearance-altering conditions (or ‘visible differences’). CAR has a vibrant postgraduate community, and links with support organisations who work with people affected by visible differences.

The studentship is funded Alopecia UK, a leading national charity who raise awareness of all forms of alopecia and provide information and support to individuals who are affected by alopecia.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Fabio Zucchelli (Senior Lecturer in Psychology and formerly Senior Research Fellow at CAR), Dr Pippa Tollow (Senior Research Fellow at CAR), and Dr Kerry Montgomery (Research Fellow at CAR and formerly Psychological Wellbeing Lead at Alopecia UK). All supervisors have extensive relevant research experience and have supervised PhD candidates. Importantly, people affected by alopecia areata (AA) have been involved as patient and public involvement (PPI) partners in developing the PhD proposal, and PPI partners will continue to be involved throughout the project.

For some people with AA, life with the condition and associated hair loss can create challenges in psychological and social adjustment. Peer support (emotional, informational and practical support provided by others with the condition) is a popular resource for people affected by AA. Yet very little research has been done to understand how to provide effective, psychologically safe, equitable, and inclusive peer support for AA.

Some key aims of the PhD are:

1. Developing an evidence-based framework for peer support as a psychosocial intervention for AA.
2. Designing and implementing peer support tailored to diverse needs.
3. Addressing the specific needs of underserved groups with AA, including Asian and black individuals, adolescents, and men.
4. Understanding how to measure the effectiveness of peer support interventions, to ultimately test the effectiveness of peer support.

With these aims in mind, we expect the PhD to adopt a predominantly qualitative approach. The successful candidate would also be expected to work closely with PPI partners and community leaders to reach underserved groups with AA. However, the precise details of the PhD will be finalised by the successful candidate, who will be supported to identify a unique focus to the research in order to make a novel contribution to research in this field, using appropriate methodology.

This PhD will also offer an excellent training opportunity to develop the specific research skills and expertise of an early career researcher looking to establish a career in the field of applied research and/or lecturing.

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please email Fabio Zucchelli at Fabio.zucchelli@uwe.ac.uk

The studentship is available from 1 October 2025 for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax-exempt stipend, will be £20,780 per annum for the 2025/26 academic year. 

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years (Home).

This would be a three-year, full-time commitment. This project suits a self-motivated and enthusiastic student.

The studentship is open to UK citizens. A recognised English language qualification is required.

Essential criteria:

• A good honours degree (2:1 or equivalent) in psychology or related subject (e.g. mental health nursing, occupational therapy).
• Strong interpersonal skills (to collaborate with and build relationships with PPI partners and underserved groups).

Desirable criteria:

• Evidence of further study at Masters level or equivalent (e.g., MSc research methods, health psychology, clinical psychology).
• Experience of conducting applied research.
• A working understanding of qualitative research methods.
• Knowledge and interest in mental health and body image / appearance psychology.

In light of the project’s service user and equity-focused orientation, we particularly welcome applications from individuals with:

• Lived experience of alopecia areata (or other causes of visible difference)
• Global majority ethnicity (UWE Bristol's definition)
• Experience of peer support for alopecia areata (as attendee and/or facilitator)

Please submit your application online. 

When prompted use the reference number 2526-OCT-CHSS04

Supporting documentation

Please submit:

• A cover letter explaining in no more than one page your suitability for the studentship
• All your degree certificates and transcripts
• Proof of a recognised English language qualification

References

You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application.

The closing date for applications is 13 July 2025.

It is expected that interviews will take place on the week commencing 28 July 2025. If you have not heard from us by this date, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.