PhD project summary:
Why is this PhD important?
Police officers and staff work around the clock to keep our communities safe, but this often means working irregular hours including nights and weekends, known as shift work. While we know shift work can affect physical health, we understand much less about how it impacts mental health and whether it contributes to people leaving the Police Force. This is particularly concerning as police experience record levels of long-term sick leave and increasing early-career departures. Importantly, not everyone may be affected equally; factors like gender, ethnicity, rank, and role may mean some groups face greater challenges. This PhD will examine these inequalities to ensure support reaches those who need it most.
What is this PhD about?
This PhD investigates how shift work affects mental health and workforce retention among police personnel in Great Britain, with particular focus on inequalities. The research asks: Does shift work contribute to mental health problems? Does it influence decisions to leave? Do impacts differ by gender, ethnicity, age, or rank? When police personnel experience mental health difficulties, are there inequalities in who seeks help and who benefits from treatment? By examining these questions through this particular lens, this research will uncover not just whether shift work matters, but for whom it matters most and why.
How will this work?
This research combines multiple methods. First, a systematic review will examine existing research on shift work and mental health in policing. Second, statistical analyses using data from approximately 50,000 police personnel will explore relationships between shift work, mental health, and leaving the force across different groups. Third, linking survey data with NHS mental health treatment records will investigate inequalities in accessing support and recovery. Finally, interviews with current officers will explore their lived experiences of shift work and its effects on daily life, relationships, and career intentions.
Who is the case partner?
This PhD is developed in partnership with Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service managed by the College of Policing. Oscar Kilo provides evidence-based guidance to support officer and staff wellbeing across England and Wales, making them the ideal partner to ensure this research addresses real-world needs and translates into practice. The partnership includes collaborative activities such as supporting recruitment for interviews, co-developing accessible outputs (blogs, briefing reports), and hosting a stakeholder workshop. A 13-week placement will enable the student to conduct an aligned project. These activities will connect the student with key stakeholders including the National Police Chiefs’ Council and third-sector wellbeing organisations while developing skills in knowledge exchange and public engagement.
What difference will this make?
Findings will directly inform Oscar Kilo’s support services, enabling targeted interventions for groups most affected by shift work. Evidence will support national priorities around employment, mental health equity, and workforce retention. Importantly, lessons can be adapted for other shift-working emergency services including NHS staff and firefighters. Results will be shared through academic publications, policy briefs, practitioner networks, and seminars, ensuring research creates practical improvements in wellbeing and retention across shift-working sectors.
Supervisor(s):
Sharon Stevelink: sharon.stevelink@kcl.ac.uk
Rachel Gibson: rachel.gibson@kcl.ac.uk
Patsy Irizar: p.irizar@ljmu.ac.uk
CASE non-academic partner: Oscar Kilo: https://www.oscarkilo.org.uk/
LISS Institution: King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Psychological Medicine / Academic Psychiatry
PhD Programme: Department of Psychological Medicine PhD programme
Full-time / Part-time: Either
1+3.5 or +3.5 studentship: Either
Fee Eligibility: Home & International eligible (UKRI eligibility guidance)
How to apply:
Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal by midnight (235.9 GMT), 8 February 2026.
On the ‘Choosing a programme’ page, please select Psychological Medicine Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time) or (Part-time). To apply, please complete and return the documents below to the project supervisor(s) directly:
- LISS DTP CASE application form
- Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
- Details of your qualifications – you will need to attach copies
- Details of previous employment – please include your CV
- A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
- Academic References – all admissions applications require one supporting reference. If the applicant is relying on their referees to submit a reference directly to the College after they have submitted their admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that (1) their chosen referee is made aware of the funding deadline (i.e. 7 days from application deadline) and (2) that the reference needs to be sent from an institutional email address.Academic transcripts
- In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: (Project reference – SS-IOPPN-POL-26
- Please note there is no need to complete the Research Proposal section in your application as the project has already been set. You are welcome to email Professor Sharon Stevelink (Sharon.stevelink@kcl.ac.uk) and Dr Rachel Gibson (Rachel.gibson@kcl.ac.uk) for more information regarding the project and studentship.
Additionally, all applicants must complete:
- LISS DTP Diversity Monitoring Form (online)
Closing date for applications: 8th February 2026
Interviews date: 6th March 2026, online