The Research

This PhD project will investigate how urban environments can adapt to meet the needs of a growing and diverse ageing population. Focusing on North Manchester, an area characterised by high deprivation and large-scale redevelopment, the study will explore how ethnically minoritised older adults experience neighbourhood change and urban regeneration.

Drawing on qualitative and co-production methods (Buffel, 2018, 2019), the student will work directly with older residents to co-produce knowledge and policy-relevant insights. The project will combine perspectives from ageing research, architecture, sociology and anthropology to generate new understandings of ageing in diverse urban neighbourhoods undergoing redevelopment.

The project will contribute to current research on the relationship between ageing and urban regeneration by addressing three objectives:

Examine inequalities:?Investigate how intersecting inequalities linked to ageing, ethnicity, poverty and racism shape the everyday lives of ethnically minoritised older residents in North Manchester, one of England’s most deprived areas undergoing major redevelopment. Understand experiences of regeneration:?Explore how ethnically minoritised older people experience neighbourhood change and urban regeneration, including risks of exclusion as well as the assets and resourcefulness within their communities. Co-produce knowledge and impact:?Use co-research methods to centre the voices of older residents often absent from research and policy debates, generating evidence and recommendations for more inclusive and resilient urban regeneration strategies. Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group

The PhD student will be part of the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group (MUARG), co-led by Prof Buffel and Dr Lewis. MUARG brings together researchers from a wide variety of disciplinary backgrounds and is committed to working with national, regional and local government, third-sector organisations, NGOs, and older people, to promote ‘age-friendly’ urban environments. The successful candidate will benefit from MUARG’s dynamic interdisciplinary environment and established networks, gaining opportunities for training, collaboration and policy engagement. They will also be encouraged to contribute actively to the group’s development and activities, working closely with team members on shared research initiatives.

In addition, the student will play an active role in the Manchester Architectural Research Group (MARG). MARG is uniquely positioned to produce research that is theoretically, historiographically, conceptually and methodologically innovative and empirically impactful.

Eligibility

Academic Criteria

Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and Master's degree in a relevant subject - with an overall average of 60% or above, a minimum mark of 60% in your dissertation (or overseas equivalent) Desirable Criteria

Degree in sociology, anthropology, political science, geography, architecture, urban studies or a closely related field. Strong academic performance at Master’s level will be an advantage. English Language

IELTS test minimum score - 7.0 overall, 7.0 in writing, 6.0 in other sections. TOEFL (internet based) test minimum score - 100 overall, 25 in all sections. Pearson Test of English (PTE) UKVI/SELT or PTE Academic minimum score - 76 overall, 76 in writing, 70 in other sections. To demonstrate that you have taken an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a majority English speaking nation within the last 5 years. Other tests may be considered.

Application Procedure

The application deadline is Midnight (GMT) on 14/11/25. Apply online for PhD Architecture at the University of Manchester.

Under Section 6 Research Details select ‘Yes’ to 'Are you applying for an advertised project?'. Insert the project title as stated at the top of the advert. It is recommended when entering the name of the supervisor to simply enter this and not use the supervisor search function.

Indicate in Section 9 Funding Sources your intention to apply for the Bicentenary Studentship.

Please ensure all?required supporting documents are included at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.?Your application must include the following:

A copy of your Bachelor's academic transcript and certificate. A copy of your Master's academic transcript and certificate. If your Master's degree is pending, provide an interim transcript. If you have completed more than one Bachelor's or Master's degree, provide evidence for each. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your weighted average mark or GPA is not included, please include an official document from your university verifying this information. An academic CV Supporting statement (max 700 words) Example piece of academic writing produced by you (up to 5,000 words) (you may consider submitting two shorter pieces if these deal separately with conceptual and empirical analyses). This may be an academic essay or chapter(s) from a dissertation, in which case, an abstract or introduction outlining the context/aims/research questions of the study must also be included.? In Section 12, upload the Writing Sample under Research Statement/Proposal and label it clearly as "Writing Sample." Two academic referees (including one from your most recent institution). A PhD Proposal is not required. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please contact Dr Camilla Lewis - camilla.lewis@manchester.ac.uk

Formal interviews: Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 2 February 2026.

Equality, diversity and inclusion statement