PhD Study : Realising the Potential of Drama-Based Techniques for Workplace Learning in the hospitality Industry

Summary

The hospitality and tourism industry in the UK has faced workforce challenges linked to both the Covid 19 pandemic and Brexit.  To hasten recovery hospitality leaders need to find more creative and innovative ways to develop and retain workers at all levels (OECD, 2020: Aharma et al., 2021).

The PhD study is designed to explore the impact of innovative training and development strategies (including drama and creativity-based approaches) on the quality of training delivered to employees.  Ultimately the project will seek to understand and assess how innovations in HRD delivery can enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

The use of art-based methods (Taylor and Ladkin, 2009) and more specifically drama-based methods to enhance Human Resource Development (HRD) has been increasing. Such techniques have included the use of rehearsing scripted drama as in the Method Acting tradition (Stanislavski, 1936) as well as practices linked to improvisation, where emphasis is placed upon creativity and critical thinking (Koppett, 2002; Benjamin and Kline, 2009).

Role-play has also been used as a method to capture the features and characteristics of work-based learning with real-life working experiences (Hutt, 2007; Kettula and Berghall, 2013) and is seen as potentially beneficial. Whilst research has tended to focus on management development, few studies have investigated the impact of HRD practices on front-line, hospitality employees in terms of their job-satisfaction and improved employee retention (Tews et al. 2019).

Ultimately the research seeks to ascertain if HRD drama-based methods can improve the ‘performance’ of operative staff and also asks if delivery of drama based HRD interventions should be delivered by highly skilled and specialist consultants, or if managers might be empowered / enabled to deliver such development programmes.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living