PhD Study : The role of abortion doulas in mitigating barriers to abortion care

Apply and key information

Summary

Abortion doulas provide practical, and emotional support to those seeking abortion services, typically complimenting the work of abortion providers in settings where abortion access is established. However, gaps in knowledge exist about the role of abortion doulas outside of the USA, outside of clinical settings, and in settings where they operate outside of the legislative framework.

This study will examine how abortion doulas support women and pregnant people to navigate access to abortion services in settings where access to abortion care has been restricted. Two settings exemplify this - Northern Ireland and Kenya. This study is timely given the 2019 decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland; and the 2019 Kenya High Court decision on the constitutional right to access to abortion.

Desirable Criteria: A Masters’ degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience.

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.

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