PhD Study : Handwashing facilities and usage in public restrooms

Summary

Good hand hygiene practice is one of the most effective methods in preventing the spread of hygiene-related communicable diseases from person to person. It is a simple measure in the prevention of the spread of communicable diseases however previous studies have found that compliance in the general population is often poor.

There has been some work carried out to investigate the compliance and reasons behind non compliance in relation to handhygiene however very few studies have explored the provision of public restrooms and how the how the design and layout of public restrooms affects handwashing.

This study aims to bridge this gap in the knowledge in investigating the provision and usage of public restrooms handwashing facilities.

This proposed reach is building upon current funded research in hand hygiene and would avail of tools and techniques used in this work. Proposed research outcomes include disseminating key knowledge and findings that potential to raise standards of handwashing provisions and address barriers to handwashing in public restrooms. It is expected that findings will also inform how government policy could achieve better hand-hygiene standard through changes in the built environment (design and layout of public restrooms).

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.

• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

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