PhD Study : Fire Safety for Vulnerable Groups (FSVG)

Summary

​This research area is the study of people’s awareness, beliefs, attitudes, motivations, decisions, behaviour and coping strategies relative to fire and the factors that influence them.  The area spans pre, peri and post events, i.e. risk factors, preparedness of individuals or organisations to deal and cope in the event of fire and evacuation, through evacuation behaviour to post evacuation analysis of the impact of their involvement. The primary aim of this research group is to minimise the risk of fire and related injuries and death.

We have a particular interest in vulnerable groups and have identified that older people are at a greater risk of becoming a fatality due to being involved in a domestic fire incident. Consequenlty, working in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and Social Workers from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, we have successfully designed a range of evidence based educational and physical resources to reduce fire risk for the elderly.

Based on the aim and current research interests of the group, research proposals in the following areas are welcome: Fire safety for vulnerable populations (children, elderly, disabled, intellectual disabilities), Evaluation and further development of fire safety intervention strategies for the elderly (Cassidy et al, 2021), Review, development and evaluation of resources aimed to reduce fire risk for people living with dementia, Fire risks/factors associated with 50-60 year olds and identifying key stakeholders and programmes to prevent further fire fatalities. The above projects may involve the development and evaluation of fire safety education and training programmes, advancing knowledge of human behaviour and fire in domestic settings, and may also extend to assessing the impact of involvement in fire, eg. Post-Traumatic Stress Symptomology.

The nature of the work will depend on the proposed topic but may involve (in addition to desktop research) experimental work (laboratory or field), surveys, interview and focus group studies of survivors of real fires.  This research area potentially transverses the disciplines of psychology, sociology, human factors, engineering, architecture, health and safety.  As a result, it is expected that the research will develop close collaborations with organisations/groups such as the NIFRS, Health and Social Care Trusts, health professionals, and charitable organisations.

​In undertaking this type of research, the successful candidate will develop a high level of creativity and innovation in research design, demonstrate their ability to collect, analyse and present complex data using a range of methods and techniques and recognise the potential application of the research in the wider context of fire safety education or management.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

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.

• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

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