PhD Study : The disabled supporter as an activist for social inclusion throughout European football

Summary

Sport has long been used as a vehicle for political advocacy across a range of issues.  Recent scholarship has drawn attention to activist athletes and coaches in elite disability sport and how these voices challenge ableism within sport.  This project seeks to examine activism on the part of the disabled supporters in the context of football. Disabled supporters can include any individual with mobility, sensory, and/or learning impairments that make use of accessible services when attending sport.  For over 50 years football clubs across Europe have been delivering spectator services for these fans. Much of this provision has been instigated by clubs seeking to offer a more inclusive spectator experience. However, in many cases it is the involvement of Disabled Supporters Associations, advocacy organizations (like the Centre for Access to Football in Europe), and/or individual fans that have instigated change and work in partnership with clubs to maintain increased levels of access.

This project seeks to understand the importance of disabled supporters in initiating change, whilst exploring the barriers they face when seeking to obtain service-improvements. To this end, the objectives of this research study are;

*To explore how the agency of disabled supporters can facilitate change

*To understand how the lived experience of disabled supporters varies by country and level of competition

*To recognise the barriers that have restricted spectatorship, both at the stadium and in preparations to travel to and from the event

*To explore how they feel changes in the external environment (legislation, technology, culture) have impacted their efforts to improve disabled spectator services

Methods to be used:

In order to address these objectives, a predominantly qualitative research design will be used, drawing on different types and modes of interviews and focus groups, with opportunities to explore creative or novel methodologies in order to explore the key themes around agency, activism, ableism and accessibility within the social setting of European football.

This project would suit applicants interested in exploring organisational change, social inclusion and issues concerning agency within a mature institution that is international in scope.  Flexibility is available within the project for the applicant to develop the research to suit current developments in the field and their personal interests.

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.

• 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