PhD title:
Co-development of a digital activity programme, Keep On Keep UP (KOKU), for older South Asians
October 2022 - September 2025
Funding:
This PhD studentship, is one of 6 that has been made available through a partnership between The Dunhill Medical Trust, ourselves at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester (ARC-GM), The University of Manchester, and the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Older People and Frailty / Healthy Ageing.
Research interests:
Bibhusha has a Master's in Development Practice in International Development with a minor in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, USA, complemented by an undergraduate degree in International Development and Economics from Minnesota State University Moorhead, USA.
Her research interests include:
- Co-development and co-design of digital health interventions to promote physical activity
- Ageing
- Equity
- Underserved communities and groups
- Innovotaion
Research summary:
This study aims to assess the usability, acceptability, and feasibility of KOKU within the South Asian community, focusing on informing future randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and enhancing engagement and uptake of KOKU in this community which comprises people and their descendants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Involving a range of community engagement activities to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity and healthy ageing across all South Asian communities are also taking place.