Health advances in underrepresented populations and diseases (HARP) PhD Programme (“HARP PhD programme”)

Underrepresentation of patient groups and diseases in research is both a cause and a consequence of health inequality. People may be underserved by healthcare and underrepresented in research due to 1) social inequalities related to demographic and protected characteristics, 2) marginalisation related to socioeconomic, lifestyle or legal factors, or 3) health status e.g. mental health, or rare diseases. Disease mechanisms, phenotyping and novel therapeutics are often studied in homogeneous populations with chronic underrepresention of certain groups. If studies fail to include these groups, outputs will be less accurate, relevant or effective in underrepresented populations, thereby exacerbating health inequalities. To tackle these problems and redress these inequalities we will support fellows’ individual and specific training needs so that they are more able to manage career transitions and have the confidence to apply their imagination to bold research with populations and in diseases that will benefit the most from their efforts. This DTP will: - Recruit the best and most motivated fellows from a diverse range of applicants into a progressive research culture environment. - Conduct world-class research with underrepresented populations supported by specific training - Tackle barriers to Academic Transitions: - (optional) Pre-Doctoral Training Phase - Bespoke Career Development Programme - Post-Doctoral Support Phase