PhD Study : Examining attitudes towards abstinence from alcohol in the UK: a multi-perspective investigation

Summary

Alcohol remains the most significant drug of choice for citizens across the UK (Department of Health, 2021). In 2021, 350 alcohol-specific deaths were registered in NI (2% of all deaths), one less than in 2020 when the highest number of alcohol-specific deaths was ever recorded here. Males and those aged 45-64 years account for the majority of alcohol-specific deaths. Although dated, evidence from 2008-09 indicates that the full annual social costs to the NI economy of alcohol-related harm could be as high as £900m (Department of Health, 2022). Limiting alcohol consumption therefore is not only advisable to improve individual health and reduce the risk of premature mortality, but also has considerable societal and economic benefits. It is a complex public health challenge, particularly given evidence that drinking trends have changed in the UK over the last two decades (Ally et al., 2016).

Adults of all ages experience considerable challenges when attempting to stop or reduce their alcohol consumption given the important role alcohol plays in many social occasions (Katainen et al., 2021).  Abstainers often report that they experience bullying, expressions of nonacceptance and sometimes even physical confrontations during social occasions (Cheers et al., 2021). Alcohol abstinence is often view by drinkers as deviant, unusual or unsociable behaviour. Drinkers may perceive non-drinkers or abstainers as judgmental in drinking situations and therefore posing a threat to the group’s aim to get drunk and have connection with others.

This project will exploit existing survey data resources to characterise the attitudes and behaviours of adult drinkers and non-drinkers in the UK with respect to alcohol abstinence (e.g., Health Survey NI data (from 2010-2021) and the UK-wide COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC) Study (2022-23)). The project will also involve collection of primary data in collaboration with existing UK alcohol research groups and charities.

Please note:  Applications from those holding or expecting to hold a 2:1 Honours Degree in Psychology are strongly encouraged to apply.  Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Psychology, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this 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.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship
• Evidence of academic writing skills (a short sample of academic written work of the applicant's choosing (Max 3 pages, A4, font 11)) – please upload in the section entitled Research Proposal

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.

• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings

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