Women's Experiences of Hospitals in Twentieth-Century Belfast

Summary

Collaborative Doctoral Partnership with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust  (BHSCT)

This project explores (and makes more visible) the experience of women who worked for, or attended, the Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital and Belfast City Hospital between 1900 and 1998.

The project will examine a wealth of under-used, uncatalogued primary sources held by project partner Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) to broaden understandings of female voluntarism, hospital fund-raising strategies, nursing and female patient experiences over time across Belfast. It draws upon material currently being made more accessible as part of the National Lottery-funded Royal Victoria Hospital 125 (RVH 125) project, uncatalogued material held at Mater and City hospitals, and material held at PRONI and Healthcare Library of Northern Ireland.

Hospitals, deeply embedded in their localities, are social microcosms, serving as miniature versions of the complex societies surrounding them. Developing a fuller, inclusive understanding of these large healthcare sites will foster deeper, inclusive understandings of the changing nature of twentieth-century Northern Irish society itself over time.

The PhD is expected to reveal women as active contributors to essential aspects of hospital work and funding, challenging emphases in traditional medical history writing on male scientific and clinical contributions. It traces how women in these hospitals, both workers and patients, gained agency and a stronger voice over time, against the restrictive backdrop of a conservative society. Additionally, it might examine the complex dynamics between Catholic and Protestant institutions, and the women associated with them, particularly during conflict.

The researcher will have full provision to archival collections at hospital sites, with desk space provided at both the Royal Victoria Hospital and Ulster University. They will be supported to develop a public-facing, accessible exhibition based on their research themes with networking opportunities offered both in academia and within BHSCT.

Postgraduate Research Applications

The information provided, during the application process, should be complete and accurate, and should not contain false or misleading information.

If information is copied from elsewhere or someone else has written the application, this could be considered fraud. This includes the use of GenAI tools such as ChatGPT.

Applications may be rejected if there is a belief that information is false or misleading, including being generated by AI tools.

AI tools can however be used in ethical and appropriate ways, during the application process, to generate ideas and inspiration or to help with the development of a research proposal or personal statement.  The use of any GenAI tools should be clearly acknowledged.

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.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• 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

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.

• Experience or knowledge of research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

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 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.

To be eligible for these scholarships applicants must: be a UK or Irish national; or have pre-settled or settled status; or have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

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 i.e. September 2027.

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.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

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.

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.