This current research project examines the issue of wellbeing among doctoral researchers who complete their studies via online programmes, a group whose health risks and support needs are underexplored. They are thought to form a significant but unknown proportion of those completing doctorates within UK institutions. The wellbeing of doctoral researchers generally, especially their mental wellbeing, is a growing concern. Around 40% of doctoral researchers in the UK experience depression and anxiety and doctoral researchers are more at risk of suicide than the general population. Poor health has come to be seen as a normal part of doctoral study. This is concerning in itself but also has far-reaching implications for the quality of UK-based research and its contribution. Some factors associated with poor wellbeing among doctoral researchers, such as being isolated from peers, are particularly relevant to those completing online programmes. One underexplored factor is the mode of study itself, with the research undertaken at UK universities to date not differentiating between campus-based researchers and those studying online. The needs of online doctoral researchers may be different and yet, university services often tend to be designed around the needs of undergraduates and/or those who are campus-based. For those studying online, services are sometimes perceived as poorly articulated. This study aims to explore the impacts of online doctoral study on wellbeing, both positive and negative, identify ways in which the wellbeing of online doctoral researchers is already supported and identify potential enhancements by universities, supervisors, and the doctoral researchers themselves. It will do this through a UK wide survey and a participatory narrative study involving five co-researchers with an interest in narrative approaches.

This project has funding from the Joy Welch Foundation.