PhD Study : Healthy place-making and youth wellbeing: Role of neighbourhood heritage

Summary

In recent years there has been a rise of youth engagement in environmental issues and concerns. Young people now understand the importance of protecting and valuing the environment. While much research has focused on many physical and socio-economic aspects of the built environment, there are still many outstanding questions on how to effectively design, measure, and nurture well-being in the built environment (Altomonte, 2020).

Research has primarily focused on the key determinants of the built environment and the link to youth health and well-being.  However, few studies have addressed the role of built heritage.  Much research has explored public opinion of, and participation in, built heritage regeneration, although the majority has been from an adult perspective.  Interestingly, research emphasises the important role that cultural heritage plays as part of societal and community well-being (Tweed and Sutherland 2007).  Research by Coeterier (2002), also highlights the fact that historic buildings have an existential value to people in the sense that they give or enhance place identity, personal identity and group identity.

Despite a deeper understanding of the built environment emerging in recent years, little is known in the United Kingdom and Ireland regarding youth attitudes to the physical and built environment, especially heritage buildings which can strongly influence the shaping of local communities and attribute greatly to cultural heritage. As environmental passion and awareness in young people continues to grow, this is an opportune time to reflect upon young people’s well-being and connections to their local heritage.  Developing an understanding of local heritage is a useful tool to reconnect youth to their neighbourhood environments (Reilly et al, 2018).  Heritage can pave a way for relationships with local neighbourhoods to strengthen and instil positive connections to specific places.

To date, research provides strong evidence to suggest that the social, economic, cultural, and built characteristics of children's neighbourhoods lay down important, sometimes life-long foundations for youth development (Minh et al, 2017).  This knowledge emphasises the importance of improving neighbourhoods to better support young people.   This study aims to investigate the role of heritage in promoting health and well-being in young people. The hypothesis includes connecting young people to their built heritage with the aspiration of improving their well-being and appreciation for their neighbourhood.

The research will seek to answer the following questions:

1. What are the primary design considerations in the built environment that contribute directly to health outcomes for young people?

2. What do young people value in the built environment, and how is built heritage perceived by differing age groups?

3. How can neighbourhood heritage positively influence user behaviours that actively leads to better health outcomes?

This unique, and internationally relevant research, will help influence policy by providing guidance to designers and planners in order to ensure that prospective urban heritage environments are better shaped for health and wellbeing and ultimately to support the needs and aspirations of a modern adolescent population.

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.

• 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.

• Masters at 65%

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