Deakin-Coventry Cotutelle - Tailoring diabetes prevention for menopause

This is a doctoral Cotutelle project between Coventry University (UK) and Deakin University (Australia).

The successful PhD Student will be awarded a scholarship from Deakin University with the supervision team being drawn from Deakin University and Coventry University. The PhD Student will graduate with two testamurs, one from Deakin University and one from Coventry University, each of which recognises that the program was carried out as part of a jointly supervised doctoral program. The program is for a duration of 4 years and scheduled to commence in January 2024.

The PhD Student is anticipated to spend at least 6 months of the total period of the program at Coventry University, with the remainder of the program based at Deakin University.

There is not seen to be a one size fits all approach to managing midlife changes in women, but rather a tool kit of synergistic strategies is needed. Women need to be empowered to understand their symptoms and know how to manage menopause. Doing so will give women a better chance in preventing type 2 diabetes. In this PhD, we recognise that people’s perceptions and actions are influenced in part by how we, as a society, communicate; particularly by what we hear, read, and see around us. Concerningly, not all the information on the menopause being shared online and through media outlets is accurate. Research can be misrepresented, and concepts conflated, leading women to unrealistic expectations around menopause treatments and health. For example, “HRT will protect my future health, so I won’t need to focus as much on a healthy lifestyle”. Sharing accurate information with menopausal women is crucial. Doing so enables midlife women to better understand what is happening to their bodies and understand how to manage its impact on daily life to make informed decisions. Empowering women through brief education and peer support is pertinent but frequently neglected. At scale, this can be addressed through tailoring existing, established educational programmes. Increasing during midlife years, women are at heightened risk of developing long-term conditions, including type 2 diabetes. With similarities between managing the menopause and preventing type 2 diabetes through more physical activity and better dietary intake, addressing the menopause in a diabetes prevention programme offers an efficient way to increase awareness amongst midlife women.

Applications close 5pm, Wednesday 25 October 2023

This scholarship is supported by Deakin University and is available over 3 years and includes:

• Stipend of $33,500 per annum tax exempt (2023 rate)
• Relocation allowance of $500-1500 (for single to family) for students moving from interstate
• International students only:  Single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.
• Full Tuition Fee Waiver for up to 4 years
• Funding to support travel of PhD Student between Deakin University and Coventry University

To be eligible you must:

• be either a domestic or international candidate. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
• meet the PhD entry requirements of both Deakin University and Coventry University, including English language proficiency requirements
• be enrolling full-time
• be able to physically locate to both Coventry University (United Kingdom) and Deakin University (Australia)

Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page and Coventry’s research entry criteria page for further information.