Deakin-Aston Cotutelle - ADHD and anxiety. Emotional experiences and pathways for mental health support

This is a doctoral cotutelle project between Deakin University (Australia) and Aston University (UK)

The successful PhD Student will be awarded a scholarship from Deakin University with the supervision team being drawn from Deakin University and Aston University. The PhD Student will graduate with two testamurs, one from Deakin University and one from Aston University, each of which recognises that the program was carried out as part of a jointly supervised doctoral program. The PhD Student is anticipated to spend a minimum 6 months of the total period of the program at Aston University, including for 8 consecutive weeks in their final year of study to comply with UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) regulations, with the remainder of the program based at Deakin University.

The program is for a duration of 3 years and scheduled to commence in October 2025.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety are the most diagnosed conditions in young people in Australia and the UK. Mental health services for young people tend to focus on the young person, with the aim of reducing psychological distress. The focus typically remains on the young person, which often leads to the broader psychological needs of parents/caregivers being de-emphasised or overlooked, despite research showing that caregiver mental health significantly impacts child outcomes. To break this cycle, it is essential for parents to develop knowledge and skills to recognise and label their responses to their child’s emotions and behaviours. However, current therapeutic models often lack the structure and resources to help parents build essential skills at managing emotions, leaving them underprepared to support their child’s long-term mental health.

This project aims to address these gaps by (i) investigating the emotional experiences of young people with ADHD and/or an anxiety disorder and their parents/caregivers using quantitative survey methodology and interviews and (ii) developing a low-cost, digestible, structured intervention with stakeholders to support parents navigating the likely highs and lows of parenting a young person with these conditions. The target populations for this project are primary-aged children and secondary-aged young people in the UK and Australia with ADHD and/or an anxiety disorder, and their parents/caregivers. By focusing on the emotional needs of parents in greater depth than previous interventions, this project seeks to improve outcomes for young people within the context of their most immediate support system, ultimately increasing the likelihood of successful, sustainable intervention outcomes.

Applications close 5pm, Sunday 2 February 2025

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

• Stipend of $35,550 per annum  tax exempt (2025 rate)
• Full Tuition Fee Waiver for up to 4 years
• Funding to support single travel between Deakin University and Aston University.
• Travel insurance support during residency at partner institution.

To be eligible you must:

• be a domestic candidate. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
• meet the PhD entry requirements of both Deakin University and Aston University, including English language proficiency requirements
• hold a Bachelor's degree with research experience or Master's degree (research) in a relevant subject area
• be enrolling full time
• be able to physically locate to both Aston University (UK) and Deakin University (Australia)

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