Centre for Research into Public Health and Community Care Dual Award studentship

Overview

• Qualification type: PhD
• Subject area: Appropriate for students from health, psychology, social sciences, and policy backgrounds
• Location/Campus: College Lane Campus, University of Hertfordshire, UK in Years 1 and 3; Western Sydney University, Australia in Year 2.
• Closing application date: 6  January 2025
• Duration: The nature of the dual award PhD means this is a full-time opportunity (three years).

Project outline

This interdisciplinary PhD project seeks to advance the understanding and the experience of family carers of people living with dementia, with a focus on experiences of diagnosis and support, cultural diversity, and changing attitudes towards family care.

Possible project topics include but are not limited to:

• Investigate the experiences of individuals receiving a dementia diagnosis and the support they receive in the UK and Australia, comparing models and approaches and their outcomes for carers.
• Collaborate with cultural communities to understand the unique challenges faced by individuals with dementia and their families, including the impact of cultural stigma and language barriers on diagnosis, care, and support.
• Co-design community-specific dementia care initiatives with the Vietnamese, Arabic, and Chinese communities in Western Sydney and the Pakistani, Eastern European, and Gypsy, Roma & Traveller communities in the East of England.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of dementia-friendly community initiatives in the UK and Australia, identifying best practices and areas for improvement.
• Examine the transformation from a burden-focused framework to supportive and empowering family care for individuals with dementia.
• Investigate strategies facilitating ageing in place for people with dementia, considering physical, emotional, and social aspects of home care.
• Address the specific challenges faced by LGBT individuals with dementia, proposing inclusive policies and interventions. Promote community awareness and understanding of changing attitudes towards family care and the unique needs of LGBT individuals with dementia through outreach and educational programs.

This comprehensive project will contribute significantly to the advancement of dementia care practices and promote wellbeing for both people with dementia and their family care partners, fostering inclusivity, and promoting supportive family dynamics within culturally diverse contexts.

This studentship will be of interest to students from health, psychology, social sciences, and policy backgrounds. The student will be based within the Centre for Research into Public Health and Community Care (CRIPACC) in the School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire and spend the second year of their studentship at Western Sydney University. The University of Hertfordshire has a stimulating and vibrant research community which will fully support you as you pursue your path towards academic excellence. We offer a wide variety of research degrees to suit your personal and professional interests and goals. Students benefit from a range of events, bringing together junior and senior researchers promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.

Our vision at the University of Hertfordshire is to transform lives and UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. Currently 36% of PGRs in HSK identify with a minority ethnic heritage and 80% identify as female. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics.

Supervisors

• Principal supervisor: Professor Kathryn Almack 
• Supervisory team: Associate Professor Celia Harris

Entry requirements

• Applicants must be permanently resident in the UK and have UK Home fee status.
• Applicants should have a 2.1 or higher Honours degree in a relevant discipline and a good knowledge of and/or able to demonstrate an interest in the topic area.
• A relevant Master’s degree and research experience will be an advantage

How to apply

Applicants must submit:

• A completed application form.
• A research proposal which should be between 4 – 8 pages long.
• Two academic references to be provided by referee directly to the Doctoral College.
• Copies of qualification certificates and transcripts.
• Certification of English language competence (minimum IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language OR evidence that you have graduated with a degree from an English-speaking University.

Please send your application to the Doctoral College

You should indicate that you wish to be considered for the CRIPACC Dual Award studentship in the subject line of the email. For enquiries concerning this studentship, a discussion about your potential research proposal, or for support and guidance in developing your research proposal, please email Professor Kathryn Almack or Dr Rosemary Godbold, Postgraduate Research Tutor, School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire.

Interviews will take place on Monday 16th December.

Funding information

This is a three-year funded project to begin in 2025 and funding covers a stipend (the 2024-25 stipend is £19,632 per year). Additionally, one return flight to Australia in year 2 will be funded (approx. £1,500).) plus tuition fees. The starting date is negotiable, but we would like the applicant to start no later than October 2025.