PhD Study : Built Heritage Education for Children

Summary

Built heritage is an important part of the cultural heritage of towns and cities and over recent times has become increasingly recognised as a salient resource that contributes to well-being in society, providing enjoyment, inspiration, learning opportunities, mental and physical health benefits, and a sense of place and identity.  However, access to heritage for children can be a challenge and for many, visiting heritage buildings is unfortunately not part of their daily lives. Whilst progress has been made to better connect children with cultural heritage, more robust research and its out-workings are needed to improve understanding of and access to built heritage. In current times when family income is stretched, school budgets undergo continual cuts alongside curriculum pressures, the educational outreach component of this research becomes even more significant.   As a child’s opportunity to visit heritage buildings can be limited as it may depend on family circumstances for example, this research aims to develop innovative methods to bring buildings and their stories to life in a classroom-based environment.

This research will endeavour to develop engaging and interactive ways to introduce and allow children to experience built heritage. The research seeks to answer the following questions:

1) How can we better engage and educate young children at differing key stages with the narrative of built heritage and

2) What benefits can be gained from a consistent and dedicated built heritage educational programme for children’s development within education? ​

This unique, and internationally relevant research will help develop creative methods by which we can engage and inspire young people to observe and understand the built environment.  The research output will be of use to architects, educators and other built environment professionals when engaging with children and young people.

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