Co-Producing Equitable Menopause Care in Scotland: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Intervention Development
Supervisors:
Dr Ruth Lewis, School of Health and Wellbeing
Dr Jenifer Sassarini, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Summary:
Women experience a disproportionate burden of ill health and disability, yet conditions affecting them – such as menopause – remain under-researched and inequitably addressed. This PhD studentship offers an opportunity to tackle stark inequities in menopause care, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged and ethnically minoritised women. These groups face greater symptom severity, lower awareness of treatment options, and limited access to culturally relevant care. Taking a transdisciplinary approach – including work with women from diverse communities, clinicians, and policy actors – this project will co-produce a theoretically-informed, culturally acceptable, and implementable approach to improving equitable access to menopause information, healthcare, and support in Scotland. The project will equip the student with advanced skills in equity-focused evidence synthesis, realist synthesis, stakeholder engagement, and intervention co-design. It offers a unique opportunity to contribute to translational research that promotes equity in women’s health across the life course and strengthens system-level capacity for inclusive, evidence-informed care.