Can community development approaches in social work deliver sustainable, cost-effective solutions to improving community health and wellbeing? An investigation into best practice models to transform health and social care in NI.

Summary

Social work (SW) has a long history of community development approaches (CDA) and despite these being marginalised from the 1990s onwards, more recently the Department of Health (DoH) (2017) strategy led to the establishment of SW roles within multi-disciplinary teams.

Pascoe et al. (2025) articulate how the drive for HSC reform also led to support for the delivery of a post-graduate professional training programme in CDA for social workers (SWCDA).

Whilst evidence of the effectiveness of community participation in promoting positive health outcomes in wider health care settings is provided by Haldane et al.’s (2019) systematic review, limited evidence exists of the effectiveness of community participation in SW practice (O’Brien et al., 2023; NISCC, 2025; NISCC, 2020) and most of this evidence focuses on the perceptions of social workers employing CDA.

The proposed study will establish evidence of whether CDA produce positive health and social outcomes in SW, from the perspectives of those receiving HSC services. Internationally, CDA are more embedded in social work practice and training than in the UK (Mackle et al., 2025; Anleu-Hernández & García-Moreno, 2021; Brocious et al., 2019).

In addition to examining current practice within NI, this study may also include international comparisons, to enable development of best practice models of early intervention.

The study will employ a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, to promote data triangulation (Campbell et al, 2018) and support a comprehensive understanding of the health and social impacts of CDA in SW.

A participatory action research (PAR) strategy will ensure real-time impact of findings on SWCDA training and education, as well as providing timely strategic guidance for policymakers.

We anticipate that these findings will have broader applicability across the range of HSC professions, leading to positive transformation of the health services in NI.

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 demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

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.

• International applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to a distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Track record of peer reviewed publications
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• Relevant professional qualification

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD scholarships are available for this project to all applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile, and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

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, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.