Building the Evidence Base for Children's Learn-to-Swim Provision in Northern Ireland

Summary

Can every child in Northern Ireland swim by the time they leave primary school? Nobody currently knows. Northern Ireland is the only UK nation without an evidence base describing children's swimming competence, provision and access, and there is no monitoring of its longstanding school-swimming requirement. This contrasts with England, where an equivalent standard has been tracked since 2012.

This PhD will build Northern Ireland's first strategic evidence base for children's learn-to-swim provision, with a particular focus on inclusion for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The project will map how children currently access swimming through school-based lessons and council-run and private provision, investigating the infrastructure, workforce, cost and accessibility that shape opportunities to learn and progress towards swimming competence.

Using a mixed-methods design combining infrastructure and geographical mapping, surveys, interviews and comparative analysis, the researcher will identify patterns of provision, capacity, accessibility and inequality across Northern Ireland. The research will also examine how Northern Ireland's learn-to-swim system compares with England, Scotland and Wales, where children's swimming competence is receiving increasing policy attention.

Working with Swim Ulster, the researcher will gain first-hand insight into the governance and delivery of swimming in Northern Ireland, alongside opportunities to engage with government, sport, education, health and local delivery partners.

The findings will provide the evidence base needed to inform future policy, investment and monitoring, and to determine where action may be required. The project will suit applicants with an interest in public health, sport policy, education, social inequality, and applied research with the potential for direct policy and practice impact.

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.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• 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.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a First Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject area
• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Track record of peer reviewed publications

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.