Reproduction, sexualities and sexual health

Qualifications Duration Start dates Application period
PhD or Professional doctorate PhD:
Full time: 3–4 years
Part time: 6–8 years
Professional doctorate:
Part time: 4–8 years
October November to January
Qualifications
PhD or Professional doctorate
Duration
PhD:
Full time: 3–4 years
Part time: 6–8 years
Professional doctorate:
Part time: 4–8 years
Start dates
October
Application period
November to January

Our work in this theme ranges from research into experiences of pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood, to the experiences of men who pay for sex. Key themes include the relationship between the body, health and identity; masculinities; reproductive decision making and cancer/chronic conditions; contraception and abortion; and the understanding of reproductive and sexual health across the life course. All the research in this theme is underpinned by a commitment to understanding, challenging and improving practice in reproductive and sexual health care.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and an MA or research methods training at MA level (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English.

Potential research projects

  • Disability, sexuality and reproduction
  • Experiences of reproductive loss (to include abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death)
  • Abortion discourses, decision-making and experiences
  • Infant feeding, reproductive choice and control
  • Sexuality, reproduction and living with long-term conditions
  • Sexuality, reproduction and learning disability
  • Reproductive decision making as a result of cancer or chronic conditions
  • Sex, sexuality and sex work
  • HIV and sexually transmitted infections
  • LGBT health and wellbeing
  • Maternity care, midwifery and reproduction
  • Teenage pregnancy
  • Contraception

Current/recent research projects

  • What role, if any, do club drugs play in negotiation of safer sex practices among MSM?
  • Growing up with HIV
  • Midwives and mothers: reproductive identities and experiences
  • ‘Good Sex’, health outcomes and self-esteem
  • Women with learning disabilities and sexuality
  • Sexuality for people with life-limiting conditions
  • Safe sex, masculinities and MSM
  • Teenage motherhood in Nigeria.

Potential supervisors

Fees and funding

PhD fees

UK fee International fee
Full time: £4,712 per year Full time: £11,958 per year
Part time: £2,356 per year Part time: £5,979 per year

Professional doctorate fees

UK fee International fee
Part time: £3,587 per year Part time: £9,107 per year

Some of our research students are funded via The Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership; others are self-funded.

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.

Links

Pregnant women
 

How to apply

Get in touch

If you have an enquiry specific to this research topic, please contact:

Dr Jenny Douglas, PGR Convenor in Wellbeing and Health Care Practice
Email: WELS-student-enquiries@open.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1908 659205

Apply now

If you’re interested in applying for this research topic, please take a look at the application process.