PhD Studentship: Understanding experiences of BMI-Based Exclusion from Fertility Treatment: An Ethnographic Study

Oxford Institute of Applied Health Research (Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery)

3 Year, full-time PhD studentship

Eligibility: Home UK/Settled and Pre-settled

Bursary p.a: The stipend is at the UKRI rate (current 2026/27 bursary rate is £21,805)

University fees and bench fees: The studentship covers bench fees, stipend, and tuition fees

Closing date: 30 September 2026

Interviews: Interviews are expected to take place online in November 2026

Start date:  18 January 2027

Project Title: Understanding experiences of BMI-Based Exclusion from Fertility Treatment: An Ethnographic Study

Project Description:

According to NICE guidance treatments for health-related fertility issues should be available on the NHS. However, guidelines are not mandatory and decisions about access are frequently set according to local priorities and finances, creating a "postcode lottery" for IVF. All integrated care systems now restrict NHS-funded IVF to women with a BMI under 30. While intended to minimize clinical risks, these policies are controversial and disproportionately impact women from socioeconomically deprived and minority ethnic backgrounds, who experience higher rates of obesity. Up to 40% of those seeking IVF treatment live with obesity, meaning a significant minority may be excluded from treatment. Global fertility declines make assisted reproduction a key public health issue, but it is unknown if decisions about funding criteria are accompanied by discussion or interventions designed to encourage change in behaviours, if this would be affective or how received by those planning parenthood.

This ethnographic PhD study will investigate the experiences of women denied fertility treatment due to BMI eligibility criteria. It aims to examine how these rules are enacted, interpreted, and navigated in clinical and social contexts, as well as their impact on stigma, care perception, and reproductive autonomy.

Data collection will take place across NHS and private fertility clinics, weight management services, and community settings using participant observation, semi-structured interviews with affected women and healthcare staff, and policy document analysis. The research focuses on how women manage exclusion—such as engaging with weight loss interventions or private pathways—while paying close attention to socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities. Supported by collaboration with an NIHR patient advisory group, the project will provide rich insights to help commissioners, clinicians, and policymakers design more equitable, inclusive, and evidence-based fertility care policies.

Director of Studies: Dr Ginny Mounce

Supervisors:  Dr Nerys Astbury (University of Oxford) Dr Pedro Melo (Oxford University Hospitals/TFP Fertility)

Requirements:

Entry requirements: 

Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor’s Degree 2:1 or higher (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant academic subject.

English language requirements:

International/EU applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.

Application process

Contact hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk for information on how to apply.

General enquiries: hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk

Project enquiries: Dr Ginny Mounce (gmounce@brookes.ac.uk)

The studentship requires you to undertake the equivalent of up to 6 hrs of teaching per week on average, during semester time, and to include preparation and marking (but no more than 20 hrs per week), and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.

The studentship is subject to funding confirmation.