HEALS: Heat, Health and Learning: Co-Designing Climate- Resilient Strategies for Primary Schools in Oxfordshire PhD
Oxford Brookes UniversityHeadington, United Kingdom
Course overview
Anthropogenic climate change is projected to increase the frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves across the United Kingdom, leading to hotter and drier summers that pose substantial risks to children’s health, wellbeing and learning. In Oxfordshire, these risks are already evident: an estimated 205,000 residents live in high heat-risk areas and around 130 schools are considered particularly vulnerable. This doctoral study will adopt a mixed-methods approach to investigate and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat on health, wellbeing and learning of primary school pupils and staff.
In collaboration with schools and local councils, the project will assess overheating and indoor air quality risks in a representative sample of primary schools across Oxfordshire through continuous monitoring of indoor temperature, carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants. This will provide insights into how heat accumulates within classrooms and how it influences comfort, concentration and wellbeing.
Key highlights
- Mixed-methods research on extreme heat impacts in primary schools
- Collaboration with schools and local councils across Oxfordshire
- Continuous monitoring of classroom temperature, carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants
- Investigates how heat affects pupil comfort, concentration and wellbeing
- Co-designing climate-resilient strategies to mitigate school overheating
- Studentship includes teaching experience and a teaching skills course
Entry requirements
- Degree: 2:1 — or above
Scholarships
Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP) Scholarship
Award value: £3,000
Up to £3,000Global Development and Humanitarian Practice Scholarship
Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin America only are eligible to apply for a single scholarship award of £9,250 to contribute to their course fees.
Up to £9,250Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding Scholarship
Full and part-time applicants for the MA Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding are eligible to apply for one of the £1,000 scholarships.
Up to £1,000London Book Fair Scholarship
The London Book Fair is offering a fee-waiver bursary of £1,000 to a full-time or part-time student at the Oxford International Centre for Publishing on the MA Publishing Media.
Up to £1,000
Careers this course leads to
- Academic researcher in building environment and climate resilience
- University lecturer in architecture or environmental design
- Building performance analyst
- Climate adaptation consultant
- Indoor environmental quality specialist
- Sustainability policy adviser
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Oxford Brookes University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to a September 2026 place.