PhD Study : Using technology to reduce time on administration for social workers

Apply and key information  

Summary

Background

Our partners in social work practice (local health trusts and not-for-profit agencies) struggle to spend adequate time with their service users. Their obligations to record and share information in a multi-disciplinary environment, have led to increasingly cumbersome administrative duties which weigh heavily on social work staff, and interfere with their capacity to build meaningful relationships with clients. The elevation of administrative duties, and the unintentional relegation of service user contact, is seen as a global trend in social work (Rogowski, 2015).

Several commentators (Cortis, Smyth, Wade, Katz, & Work, 2018; Garrett, 2005; Gillingham & Graham, 2016) have suggested that technologies now exist which can significantly reduce social workers’ administrative duties. The evaluation of these technologies is a current priority for our partners in practice.

Rationale

We asked our partners, in the world of social work practice, to suggest a research topic which had the potential to assist frontline social work staff. A dominant theme from this consultation was that the weight of administration duties puts pressure on client contact times. They described an interest in the evaluation of potential technological adjuncts, or substitutions, to the current administrative practices of front-line social work staff.

Method

Following a comprehensive literature review and stakeholder consultation, the successful candidate would be supported to pilot up to three technology-based administration tools. These might include speech-to-text technologies, voice recording technologies or project/time-management applications. With stakeholder input, one of these technologies would be chosen for a comprehensive evaluation in a randomised controlled trial.

A key outcome of interest would be service user feedback on the quality of relationship they enjoyed with their social worker.

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.

  • Research proposal of 2000 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.

  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

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.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

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

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 18 February 2019
12:00AM

Interview Date
25 to 27 March

Preferred student start date
September 2019

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Tony McGinn

Other supervisors