PhD Study : Performance and Health

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Summary

Performance and health is an interdisciplinary area which is a research priority within creative and performing arts at Ulster. Current and recent PhD research addresses: ethics and aesthetics of performance in end of life care; the development of interactive arts-based models of medical simulation to advance ‘sympathetic presence' and Person-Centered Care; participatory design, working with a range of stake-holders; arts in health communication for self-efficacy and behaviour change; applied arts and public health, and film and mental health.

Potential project proposals include:

*community arts for older people

*applied drama for carers and people with dementia

*theatre and dis/ability *participatory strategies and instrument/interface designs for musicians with mobility impairments or intellectual disabilities

*contemporary performance and community health

*applied drama for communication skills in health and care organisations.

*Educational arts for health and wellbeing

*Aesthetics of care in applied drama for mental health

*Creative and interdisciplinary approaches to community-based therapy

Staff in the creative and performing arts are engaged in a long-term collaboration with Nursing, Psychology, and Stratified Medicine within the University, and external collaborations with UCD, Queen Margaret University, NHS health trusts in Northern Ireland, and UK and EU arts organizations, charities and advocacy groups.

Applicants with research interests in areas related to this topic and the examples above are advised to make contact with a potential supervisor or subject contact in advance of making a application.

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
  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
  • Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

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.

  • First Class Honours (1st) Degree
  • Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
  • Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
  • Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Work experience relevant to the proposed project
  • Experience of presentation of research findings

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
Friday 26 February 2021
12:00AM

Interview Date
Monday 12th April to Friday 23rd April 2021

Preferred student start date
Mid-September 2021

Applying

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