Research projects in Health, Wellbeing and Education

Below is a selection of projects taking place under the theme of Health, Wellbeing and Education.

These projects will give you an insight into the wide range of research that takes place, and the impact it has both in our local community and across the globe. 

An investigation into the aspirations and perceptions of future selves of young learners in Staffordshire

This study investigated the aspirations of pupils in primary and secondary schools located in low-socioeconomic areas in Staffordshire.

Beyond the Classroom

The aim of this project is to understand and recognise the diversity of innovations to enhance student experience and outcomes.  

Contracts – on Science, Politics and Nature

The research examines the proposal in the work of Michel Serres that society has been based on the exclusion of nature and that it needs to be re-established on the basis of a new ‘contract’ that includes the natural world. 

DIGI-S.PA.C.E - The DIGItal innovative Strategies for PArental and Civic Engagement

The DIGItal innovative Strategies for PArental and Civic Engagement - DIGI-S.PA.C.E. project is a three-year (2019-2022) Erasmus+ project with the Create Partnership Trust, UK, and partners in Italy, Lithuania and Portugal.

Education for All

An international collaboration with the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria to examine the pathways which enable Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) to systemically distort participation within the Higher Education sector.  

Enhancing nurses’ and midwives’ competence in providing spiritual care through innovative education and compassionate care (EPICC)

The provision of spiritual care for the health and wellbeing of patients has been the focus of a major project involving a group of nursing and midwifery educators, along with key stakeholders, across Europe. The EPICC project was launched in November 2016 to review good practice in spiritual care and develop new resources that can be applied to nursing and midwifery in higher education.

Environmental Health Inequalities in Europe

This report documents the magnitudes of inequalities within and between countries in Europe for 19 indicators. It also updates the changes that have occurred within countries since the first assessment report in 2012. Addressing inequalities in environmental risk will help to mitigate health inequalities and contribute to fairer and more socially cohesive societies.

Jon Fairburn chaired the Expert group on behalf of WHO that produced this report and other outputs.

Environmental Health Inequalities Research with the World Health Organization

Production “Environmental Health Inequalities in Europe: Second Assessment Report” by the World health Organization. Prof Jon Fairburn chaired the expert panel meetings that produced the report as well as authoring and co-authoring chapters.

Prof Fairburn was also the lead author of the systematic review into air quality and social inequalities.

Prof Fairburn is also the author of the Resource Toolkit which was produced to help policy makers deal with these issues.

Environmental health inequalities resource package: A tool for understanding and reducing inequalities in environmental risk

The resource package aims to generate awareness of the concept of environmental health inequalities and to support actions to tackle environmental risks at the local and national level. 

European Women in Sport: For adaptative governance of women’s sports practices - E-WinS

This project aims to promote and accelerate the feminisation of sport in European culture through developing awareness and understanding on the specific problematics women encounter in their sport careers. It aims to bring more visibility to women athletes in Europe and to raise awareness of the importance of women in sport practices and governance, helping in turn to improve their role and impact in these areas.

Evaluation of the Enhancement Framework QAA Scotland

Academic year 2022-23 marks the 20 year anniversary of the introduction of the Quality Enhancement Framework. We are using this milestone to undertake a deep and wide-ranging evaluation of one of its five key elements - the Enhancement Themes. 

Exploring Evaluation Wicked Issues with the HE Sector

This project will bring together colleagues from within the Evaluation Collective to collate and respond to evaluation ‘wicked issues’ (Rittel & Webber 1973) posed by staff or students.

Heart Age Test (HAT) Evaluation

Researchers at the Centre for Health and Development (CHAD) are working with Public Health England to evaluate users’ experiences of the online Heart Age Test. The evaluation involves an online survey and/or an interview to help understand if the tool meets the outcomes set by Public Health England.

Homeschooling in the Covid-19 shutdown; changes to parental commitment. A comparative study in the UK and Vietnam.

This is a comparative study between parents and teachers in the UK and Vietnam. The research is exploring parents’ experiences and perceptions of homeschooling their child/children and teachers’ experiences and perceptions of remote working and online teaching during the Covid-19 school shutdown.

Phenomenon-Based Learning

SCoLPP have been commissioned by QAA to explore the potential of Phenomenon Based Learning in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education for All). 

Positive health effects on the natural outdoor environment in typical populations of different regions in Europe (PHENOTYPE)

There is evidence that contact with natural environments is beneficial to human health and wellbeing, but the mechanisms are not well understood. PHENOTYPE was a four-year European-funded, multi-country project intended to provide a better understanding of the potential mechanisms, and better integration of human health needs into land use planning and green space management.

Raising Voices

The Raising Voices project is a project commissioned by VOICES on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent Hardship Commission. The project involves University of Staffordshire, Expert Citizens CIC, All The Small Things CIC, and, most importantly, the people of Stoke-on-Trent. It aims to make a real difference for people experiencing poverty, by bringing people together, sharing our stories of hardship and working collectively to influence change.

SUMEC

The University of Staffordshire Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert Coaching Programme is a staff development initiative, aiming to coach colleagues as they develop their teaching practice using Microsoft technologies. 

TASO Ethnicity Awarding Gap

This project explores approaches to addressing the gap in 2:1 and 1st class degrees being awarded to white students in comparison to students from other ethnicity groups. 

Technology Expectations at Higher Education Institutions in the UK

Advanced information and communication technologies have changed the way teaching and learning are conceptualized and conducted in higher education. 

The role of Pastoral da Pessoa Idosa (PPI) in reducing the impact of Covid-19 on isolated older people

Pastoral da Pessoa Idosa (PPI) is a lay movement within the Catholic Church of Brazil that provides home visits to isolated elderly people across 185 dioceses and 2800 communities. The arrival of coronavirus led to a temporary halt in visits but alternative support continued with a campaign to telephone vulnerable older people instead. Timely intervention to spread information and provide practical support to self-isolating older people had the potential to make a significant difference to the spread and impact of Covid-19.

TILE (Teaching Innovation and Learning Enhancement) Hub

The Teaching Innovation and Learning Enhancement (TILE) Hub sits directly under SCoLPP providing learning enhancement activities in pedagogy, digital innovation, training, and development.  We work across the university with staff and students. 

Understanding the World – Area of Learning

This study explored effective practice and provision in early years settings to support children’s learning. 


in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021