Fulfilling the Broken Promise of Support for Mental Capacity in an Era of Assisted Dying: A Comparative, Applied-Philosophy Approach

The project

The Essex Autonomy Project invites applications for a fully funded Collaborative Doctoral Award to contribute to a research collaboration with the National Mental Capacity Forum. The successful applicant will conduct research culminating in a PhD dissertation addressing the following research question:

How should (i) lessons learned from new national programmes for supported decision-making in jurisdictions outside England and Wales, and (ii) research on extended-mind approaches to distributed cognition and distributed volition, relational autonomy, and/or the capabilities approach inform training for care-providers whose role obligations include delivery on the unfulfilled promise of sec. 1(3) of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) in England and Wales?

One objective of the research will be to examine the application of MCA sec. 1(3) in the context of decisions to request medical assistance in dying, but the scope of the research will extend to all decisions covered by the Mental Capacity Act.

The researcher will become an affiliate of the Essex Autonomy Project on the Colchester Campus of the University of Essex. The Principal Supervisor will be Prof Wayne Martin (Director).

The Autonomy Project is a research and public policy initiative based in the School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (PHAIS) at the University of Essex, but involving extensive internal and external collaborations with both academic and non-academic partners, and making use of multi-disciplinary research methods. The Autonomy Project is affiliated with the Essex Human Rights Centre.

Collaborative Partner

The Collaborative Doctoral Award will be held in collaboration with the National Mental Capacity Forum (NMCF).  NMCF is a joint initiative of the UK Ministry of Justice and the UK Department of Health and Social Care. The Forum was founded in 2014 in response to post-legislative scrutiny of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).

The purpose of the NMCF is to advocate at a national level for the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and to identify and support local actions to improve awareness, understanding and implementation of the MCA to realise improved outcomes and benefits for individuals who may (or may in the future) lack mental capacity.

Project opportunities

The successful candidate will work closely with the NMCF and its Chair, Dr Margaret Flynn, who will collaborate in the supervision of the research. The successful candidate will collaborate with NMCF and EAP in preparing at least one NMCF webinar on the topic of the research, and will draw on frontline professionals affiliated with the NMCF to generate an empirical evidence-base that will inform the research.

The research will involve (a) a benchmarking exercise to determine how MCA sec. 1(3) is currently being applied in practice; (b) a desk-based survey of current practices in other jurisdictions that have implemented forms of legally recognised supported decision-making; (c) critical examination of the applicability to this area of practice of one or more of the following philosophical approaches: (i) the extended-mind hypothesis; (ii) relational autonomy; (iii) the capabilities approach.

Subject to availability of funding, the successful candidate will collaborate with a partner in the creative economy to produce a series of “Sketch Up Videos” designed to communicate strategies for fulfilling the promise of MCA 1(3).

The successful candidate will have access to training and development opportunities through the University of Essex Proficio Programme and through the NMCF. Training opportunities will help support both the conduct of the research itself and career preparation, including preparation for careers in public policy and human rights.

Funding

The duration of this studentship is 3.75 years. (pro-rata for part-time study), commencing October 2026 and includes:

• An annual Stipend at the UKRI minimum rate (currently £20,780 at the 2025/26 rate). 
• Payment of your PhD tuition fees.
• Access to funding from the Research Training Support Grant fund (to support the costs of your research training and some direct costs of research).
• Access to funding from the Collaborative Support fund (i.e. for placements)

The Collaborative Doctoral Award can be held either on a full-time or a part-time basis and is open to both UK and International students (EU and non-EU students who do not have residency).

The successful candidate will also be able to access £2,500 of Proficio funding for professional skills development and conference attendance.

Person specification

We welcome applicants who can demonstrate enthusiasm for multidisciplinary research and collaborating with the National Mental Capacity Forum to translate research into real-world impact in care settings and public policy.

Essential qualifications and skills

• Undergraduate degree (Upper Second or above, or equivalent) in Philosophy or other discipline related to the research project;
• Masters qualification in Philosophy or other discipline related to the research project, or equivalent in relevant professional experience;
• Ability to conduct original multi-disciplinary research involving philosophy;
• Ability to contribute to a multi-disciplinary research project based in philosophy;
• Outstanding English-language oral and written communication abilities;
• Evidence of ability to conduct independent research under supervision;
• Willingness to engage actively with a wide array of frontline professionals working in the care sector and related areas of law and policy.

Desirable qualifications and skills

• Lived experience (personal and/or professional) in supporting persons with impaired decision-making abilities;
• Familiarity with the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act (England and Wales) 2005;
• Familiarity with Supported Decision-Making initiatives and/or legislation;
• Familiarity with principles of human rights for persons with disabilities;
• Familiarity with the academic scholarship on the extended mind hypothesis, and/or relational autonomy;
• Familiarity with applying a capabilities approach in assessment of public policy investments.
• Experience in conducting questionnaires, focus groups, and/or web-based training.
• Proficiency in Spanish or French.

Applications are encouraged from persons with lived experience of disability.

How to apply

Applicants should submit a letter of application, supported by a CV and one writing sample. Final applications should be submitted to ahrcdla@essex.ac.uk.  Please use the following naming convention for your documents: ‘Applicantname_CDAapplication’.

Guidance to applicants

The letter of application should explain why you are interested in this doctoral award, and what makes you a good fit for the project. This might include a summary of any relevant education, training or experience that has prepared you for undertaking this project, and how you meet the specified qualifications for the post.

Your writing sample may be on any topic, but should demonstrate your ability to write at the PhD level in English on a project in applied philosophy. Maximum length: 7000 words (inclusive of notes and references); shorter writing samples are welcome.

The selection panel will assess your letter of application against both the essential and desirable qualifications and skills; please ensure your application materials address how you meet them.

Finalists will be invited to a Zoom-based interview in late February or early March 2026.

Anticipated date of interviews, subject to confirmation: Friday, 6 March 2026. Notice of at least one week will be given to shortlisted interviewees.

Initial inquiries should be directed to Prof Wayne Martin at autonomy@essex.ac.uk