Graduate Teaching Assistantship

Investigating the effects of structural level policy change on HIV risk factors, and modelling the impact of structural change on HIV transmission

Investigating the effects of structural level policy change on HIV risk factors, and modelling the impact of structural change on HIV transmission

There is growing interest in the field of HIV epidemiology of looking beyond individual risk factors, in order to explore the influence of broader structural factors on HIV risk, such as access to education or women's empowerment. Mathematical epidemiological models can be powerful tools in helping us to understand HIV epidemics and determine prevention priorities. However, very few models attempt to incorporate the influence of structural drivers of HIV, and there has been limited research exploring even the potential for models to incorporate the influence of such factors.

The focus of this PhD will be to explore the potential to develop modelling approaches to capture the influence of key structural drivers of HIV. An initial objective of this PhD is to review and summarise the evidence on associations between structural factors and sexual behaviour. A second objective is then to use this evidence synthesis, along with previous mathematical / epidemiological models linking sexual behaviour to HIV transmission, to conceptualise how best to model the impact of structural change on HIV transmission.

Depending of the findings of this evidence synthesis and the conceptual model, the PhD may develop further by building or adapting a mathematical / epidemiological model of HIV transmission and parameterising this to a specific setting for which sufficiently detailed data has been identified from the review. The model could then be used to estimate the contribution of various structural factors to the HIV epidemic / HIV transmission and the impact of specific structural interventions for HIV prevention.

The student will join two multi-disciplinary teams of epidemiologists, mathematical modellers, economists and social scientists (The HIVTools Research Group and The Gender Violence and Health Centre) interested in exploring the potential impact and economic benefits of different HIV/STI prevention strategies, and linking social science research with epidemiological modelling.

Through this PhD, the student will develop further skills in: (i) systematic literature reviewing; (ii) epidemiology; and (iii) mathematical modelling of HIV, (and potentially also in numerical methods, model fitting and computer programming). Applicants are expected be familiar with these three core disciplines / skills, having a strong mathematical background (A/AS-level in Mathematics or equivalent) and a BSc in Mathematics / Physics / Statistics / Biological Sciences / Computer Science or other relevant quantitative / medical subject, and preferably an MSc or equivalent experience in Epidemiology / Control of Infectious Diseases / Public Health. Applicants must also have experience of teaching.

This project will be based in the Health Policy Unit, in the Department of Public Health and Policy

Graduate Teaching Assistantships