PhD in Data Science

The pathway combines observational, descriptive, and trials-based methods with large population-scale datasets to provide evidence on societies most pressing health challenges. Research informs evidence-based policy making to support people to make healthy lifestyle choices and/or to live better with illness and disability. More specifically, it examines the built and social environment and the impact that these have on multiple health and/or social outcomes. For example, a project may characterise the housing or school travel environment, and investigate the impact on injuries, mental health and educational outcomes; or shifting ageing and family-size demographics in relation to the epidemiology of chronic health conditions to address the pressing issue of the ‘care -gap’. Projects may use a range of methodologies, from observational to computational and population-level modelling. Such projects and associated methods are made possible through the linkage of administrative and health data, increasing demand for suitably qualified doctoral researchers capable of applying a mix of methods to complex social science problems.