Published on 20 May 2022
The University of Sunderland has launched a new doctoral scholarship, which has the potential to change the lives of thousands of ordinary people.
The Hope Winch Centenary PhD Scholarship in Pharmacy Practice will offer a life-changing opportunity for a gifted scholar to make a significant impact on future healthcare policy and delivery. During their studies it is expected that the successful applicant will produce original research that spurs new thinking and approaches to healthcare.
The three-year Scholarship, which was created to mark 100 years of pharmacy teaching in Sunderland, will be a transformative experience for a student who otherwise might not be able to consider such a PhD. They will graduate as a specialist, and their work will help to establish new best practice or shape policy change to improve the lives of patients, whilst also reinforcing Sunderland’s School of Pharmacy’s reputation for fostering research that has an impact on issues facing society.
The Hope Winch Centenary PhD Scholarship in Pharmacy Practice has been generously sponsored by National Pharmacy Association Health Education Fund, the Harold and Marjorie Moss Charitable Trust and many individual University of Sunderland pharmacy graduates.
Dr Adrian Moore, Head of School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences at Sunderland, believes this is a unique opportunity for a talented young scientist, who otherwise might not be able to pursue their ambitions.
He said: "For many, the opportunity to undertake a programme of research is not possible. The funding available through this scholarship provides an opportunity to contribute to high quality research that has the potential to offer genuine patient benefit within the community.
"The intention is that the successful candidate will help to establish new best practice or shape policy change to improve the lives of patients, whilst also reinforcing the School of Pharmacy’s reputation for fostering research that has an impact on issues facing society.
"The Hope Winch Centenary PhD Scholarship in Pharmacy Practice is highly attractive for anyone with an interest in future healthcare practice and looking to develop transferable skills as an impactful researcher."
An ever-greater focus is now being placed on expanding the professional role of the pharmacist in improving public health and patient care. This new PhD will help build a timely understanding of contemporary pharmacy practice issues and innovations around the enhanced delivery of health interventions and patient-centered services – all in the immediate aftermath of the COVID pandemic.
Dr Ian Cubbin graduated from Pharmacy at Sunderland in 1980. He is now Chair of the National Pharmacy Association's Health Education Foundation and was instrumental in raising funds for the new scholarship.
Dr Cubbin said: “The National Pharmacy Association celebrated its centenary year concomitantly with the School of Pharmacy. We are delighted to be helping to support it shape the future of healthcare through this scholarship, which has the potential to bring innovative practice to the benefit of patients.”
Applications for the Hope Winch Centenary PhD Scholarship in Pharmacy Practice close on 29 May, 2022. To find out more click here.