PhD Study : Mental health promotion and prevention for the creative sector: developing better wellbeing for the creative workforce

Summary

In addition to the essential criteria noted below, the Degree (or equivalent) qualification must be in a discipline related to this PhD programme to be justified in the application.

We will accept applications from candidates who are about to hold a minimum of an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) Degree in a discipline related to this PhD programme (or overseas award deemed equivalent via UK NARIC) if they have substantial research experience.

An additional Desirable criteria that may be applied is holding, being about to hold, a Masters level qualification in a discipline related to this PhD programme

You must provide official, final results of qualifications used to meet the academic requirements before the start of the studentship.

Background:

Poor mental health is prevalent among those working in the creative sector, with Ulster research illustrating probable mental health problems are three times higher in the creative industries compared to the general population (1). The nature of jobs in the creative industries balances great reward with potential challenges that could contribute to poor mental health. For example, many working artists are freelancing which may result in less job security, a lack of a daily routine, minimal management or other support, and an absence of the benefits which promote stability and security (e.g. sick pay or pension). Creatives often need to master a range of skills beyond their creative talent, such as accounting, marketing, and sales (2).

Other pressures include anxiety about performance or how work is received, a lack of understanding of the pressures from those external to the sector including funders or recipients of the arts, work overload, underload, contract unreliability, career anxiety, career mobility, irregular working hours, low financial rewards, maintaining high standards of performance, financial security, and sporadic work (1, 3-6). This may be further complicated by substance use as payment, or used to relieve the stresses of the job (7-10).

This project capitalises on key strengths at Ulster, bringing together researchers in both the Institute for Mental Health Sciences and the Creative Industries Institute and their extensive external partner network in an innovative partnership to facilitate a co-production PhD programme with impact embedded from the outset. Key questions include:

i) how, when, and where do creative sector workers access existing support;

ii) what type of prevention and support strategies do those working in the creative sector prefer and when is the optimal timing of delivery;

iii) which organisational mental health strategies are effective for a range of different sector environments and how can sector bodies help (such as Arts Councils, Charities, or Unions);

iv) what are the most effective models for embedding mental health in curricula for those training in creative industries.

This PhD will address these questions using three main methods derived and finalised through interdisciplinary consensus: A high quality, pre-registered systematic review of the literature to understand mental health issues and what mental health interventions are being used to help those in the creative sector. Extension of the ethically approved Ulster survey (1) to those who work in the Creative Sector in the UK to better understand the issues facing sub-sectors of the creative industries, and to consult widely with the industry on how to make changes to ensure healthy creative sector communities both now and in the future.

Qualitative research with three key stakeholder groups including Arts Councils/Funders, Representative Bodies (such as Help Musicians or Bectu), and Creatives. This may take the form of visualisation work (such as Photovoice) and/or focus groups analysed using Framework methods. The project will have an advisory board of key stakeholders to ensure research is high quality, relevant, impactful, and truly interdisciplinary.

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

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