Are you an enthusiastic researcher with experience of mixed methods, stakeholder and public/patient engagement, and an interest in social prescribing, nature-based interventions, complex interventions, and trials?

We are looking for a Research Fellow to support our pilot randomised control trial and process evaluation of a nature-based intervention for people with mental ill health. The overall aim of the project is to test and finalise the processes for undertaking a definitive, fully powered RCT of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a group, nature-based intervention.

The successful candidate will draw on stakeholder and public/patient engagement, pilot trial and qualitative methods to inform a future randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess the effectiveness of a Nature-on-Prescription intervention for people with common mental health conditions.  They will also support quantitative and cost data collection.

For more information visit the University of Exeter job pages: Job reference P93700 Research Fellow. The starting salary will be from £41,732 pro-rata on Grade F, depending on qualifications and experience. The post is 0.8 FTE and is NIHR-funded. It is available for 18 months from 1 October 2024 (or as soon as possible thereafter), subject to final confirmation of funding. The post is based at ECEHH on the Penryn campus.

Application closing date : 19/08/2024

The Nature-on-Prescription project and the GREENGAGE trial.

Drawing on research evidence, as well as the input of key groups of stakeholders including publics/patients; and nature activity providers, a proposal for a randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a Nature-on-Prescription intervention for people with common mental health conditions will be developed. This pilot RCT with our partners at Eden, the Sensory Trust, and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust will be undertaken to support this.

This project will build on existing Nature-Based Social Prescribing research of the team, including previous work on Therapeutic Nature for Defra, an MRC funded realist review and development of a Handbook to support Nature-based Social Prescribing practitioners, a single arm feasibility study on nature-based activities to support mental health and an ongoing evaluation of the Government’s seven Test and Learn sites aiming to embed and scale up green social prescribing in their areas

A grant proposal for a full RCT on the effectiveness of Nature-on-Prescription for people with common
mental health conditions is a key output of this study. The post holder will work closely with stakeholders to understand research uncertainties and work to address these through this pilot work.

For further information please contact Ruth Garside, e-mail R.Garside@exeter.ac.uk.