Eczema UK Announces Two New PhD Studentships to Advance Groundbreaking Eczema Research

Eczema UK is delighted to announce the award of two PhD studentships as part of our 2025/26 Research Grant Programme, supporting innovative research that aims to improve the lives of everyone affected by eczema.

Following a rigorous peer review process led by our independent Grant Advisory Panel, two outstanding research projects have been selected for funding. Together, they address two of the most pressing challenges facing people with eczema today: developing new approaches to repairing the skin barrier, and improving understanding of how online health information influences treatment decisions, trust in healthcare professionals, and medication adherence.

The successful projects are:

Developing therapies to repair the skin barrier in eczema — the Barry Edwards and Angela Edwards MBE Memorial Award Dr Ryan O'Shaughnessy, Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Queen Mary University of London

This studentship has been designated the Barry Edwards and Angela Edwards MBE Memorial Award, in recognition of a generous legacy gift from Barry and Angela that will support this work for years to come. Angela was awarded an MBE for a successful career spanning more than four decades in the NHS. We are proud to honour their memory through research that reflects the difference they made throughout their lives.

The skin barrier plays a fundamental role in protecting the body from environmental irritants, allergens and infection. When this barrier is damaged, as it is in eczema, symptoms can become persistent and difficult to control. This PhD studentship will investigate innovative approaches to repairing the skin barrier, with the long term aim of developing new therapies that target one of the underlying causes of eczema rather than simply managing its symptoms.

The impact of online information on eczema treatment perceptions, trust in healthcare providers, and medication adherence Dr Elaine Cameron, School of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling

The internet and social media have transformed how people access health information. While online resources can provide valuable support, they can also contribute to confusion, misinformation and reduced confidence in healthcare advice. This PhD studentship will explore how online information shapes beliefs about eczema treatments, trust in healthcare professionals, and decisions about treatment adherence. The findings will help inform strategies to improve communication, support informed decision making, and strengthen relationships between patients and clinicians.

Andrew Proctor, Chief Executive of Eczema UK, said:

"We are incredibly proud to support these two outstanding PhD studentships. Together they reflect Eczema UK's commitment to funding research that has the potential to make a meaningful difference to the lives of everyone affected by eczema. One project seeks to develop new therapeutic approaches by repairing the skin barrier, while the other addresses the increasingly important role that online information plays in shaping treatment decisions and trust in healthcare. Both projects tackle challenges that matter deeply to our community and represent an important investment in the next generation of eczema researchers."

Dr Paula Beattie, Chair of Eczema UK's Grant Advisory Panel, said:

"The standard of applications received this year was exceptionally high, making the Grant Advisory Panel's decisions particularly challenging. These two projects stood out because of their scientific excellence, strong methodological design and clear potential to improve outcomes for everyone affected by eczema. They address important but distinct aspects of eczema research, from advancing our biological understanding of the disease to exploring the psychological and behavioural factors that influence treatment and self-management. We look forward to seeing the impact these studies will have on future research and clinical practice."

The awards form part of Eczema UK's ongoing commitment to supporting high quality research that addresses the priorities of everyone affected by eczema, and the healthcare professionals who care for them. By investing in early career researchers and innovative ideas, we aim to accelerate progress towards better treatments, improved care and, ultimately, a better quality of life for the millions of people affected by eczema across the UK.

‘As a member of the Eczema UK Executive group I was delighted to see that two of the research projects I had scrutinised were awarded Research Grant funding.’ - Expert by Experience member, Fiona.