Developing New Pathways in Mental Health Heritage and Local Research: Armagh Asylums, 1875-1936.

Summary

Collaborative Doctoral Partnership with the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI),  Belfast.

This collaborative project will broaden understandings of rural mental health and local communities, emphasising institutional experiences, the role of asylums as employers, stigma and the historical nature of institutionalisation in Ireland.

It aims to develop original research into Armagh’s three asylums - the District Lunatic Asylum, Retreat Loughgall and Course Lodge, Richhill – covering the period 1875-1936. Historically, the asylums served as microcosms of the societies surrounding them, reflecting the complex social relations that formed between the Famine and post-partition, inflected by considerations such as class, gender, religion and political affiliation.

The successful applicant will spend periods working at Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), developing skills in archival conservation, digitisation of records and developing a toolkit relating to using AI in archives.

Based at PRONI for 3 x 6 week blocks of time (distributed evenly across the three year studentship), the researcher will be provided with office space and professional training. The awardee will gain skills in cataloguing and making material of regional significance files more visible.

The researcher will also work collaboratively with PRONI and County Armagh Museum to develop a temporary exhibition on the region’s asylums, developing innovative pathways in an under-researched area: mental health heritage.

To apply for this opportunity, a detailed and clearly defined research proposal is required along with articulate personal statement.  Please note that we will only accept one application per applicant.  Multiple applications will not be considered.

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
• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

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.

• Masters at 65%

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)

This scholarship will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £21,000* (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum is also available.

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National, or

• Have settled status, or

• Have pre-settled status, or

• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or

• be an Irish National

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme.

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.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period