PhD Study : Sports-Related Concussion: A Socio-Historical Analysis

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Summary

Social epidemiology is broadly concerned with the ways in which social, political, cultural and economic structures, institutions and relationships influence health. In that regard, the sports-related brain injury known as concussion has both a neurological and social basis: it being the only injury that one international sports board (the IRB) seeks to define, and along with blood injuries, is subject to specific regulation. This project sets out to rebalance the information asymmetry associated with concussion in sport, that is, the predominance of the bio-scientific approach.

The project will redress this imbalance by examining the injury from a socio-historical perspective with a number of possible research avenues: an examination of the historical, medical and scientific literature related to head trauma in one or a number of competitive sports played in Ireland and Britain; archival research around one or a number of chosen sports to trace the growing awareness and understanding of sports-related brain injury over time and whether/how this has prompted reform efforts; a longer-term analysis of civilised bodies and the culture of risk in one or a number of sports, including changing discourses (in popular media, within various sports) around the diagnosis and treatment of concussion; interviews with current and former sports competitors, coaches/managers, medical personnel and the like.

This project will also permit the doctoral researcher the opportunity to consider the implications (e.g. policy, sports governance, coach education, athlete welfare) for the future development of sport and public health policy more widely.

Methods to be used:

The strengths and interests of the particular doctoral candidate will inform the final decision on research design once final research objectives are agreed. It is envisaged that the research methods will be chosen for their relevance to the project and no method will be given any primacy per se over the objectives of the research.

The candidate will refine detailed aspects of the methodology and analysis. Applicants should, in consultation with the lead supervisor, propose a detailed research design that enables them to explore the socio-historical milieu of injury in sport and brain injury in particular, the various socio-historical sources that may reveal the attitudes, beliefs and values of medical and sports people with regard to pain and injury, the ways in which such attitudes have been mediated historically by social relationships and power relations, and the implications for future developments in relation to the management of concusssion.

Objectives of the Research:

The following are the general objectives of the proposed project:

*To explore the socio-historical habitat and habits of competitive sports, in particular the historical normalisation of risk, pain and injury;

*To examine the socio-historical attitudes, beliefs and values held by those involved in/with competitive sport regarding civilised bodies and sports-related brain injury specifically;

*To examine the growing awareness and understanding of concussion in one or a number of sports in British and Irish contexts;

*To consider the implications of this for sport and health policy more widely, including that of concussion reform, coach education, athlete welfare and so on.

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.

  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

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
  • 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
  • Publications - peer-reviewed
  • Publications record appropriate to career stage
  • Experience of presentation of research findings
  • Use of personal initiative as evidenced by record of work above that normally expected at career stage.

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
mid-March 2019

Preferred student start date
September 2019

Applying

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Contact supervisor

Dr Katie Liston

Other supervisors

  • Ian Millar