PhD Study : Encouraging older people to walk more - what works and why?

Apply and key information  

Summary

The benefits of regular physical activity for older adults are well established. However, most older adults do not take enough activity to benefit their health. Walking is the nearest thing to perfect exercise and is a low cost, accessible and widely socially acceptable form of activity for older adults. Evidence suggests that interventions delivered by peers may be an effective way to engage older adults in physical activity. The Walk with Me study is a peer-led walking intervention which has been successfully piloted with older adults in Northern Ireland and is now proceeding to a fully-powered randomised controlled trial.

In addition to assessing effectiveness, process evaluation is an essential part of designing and testing complex interventions. It seeks to understand the delivery and uptake of the intervention, the causal pathways through which the intervention is expected to act, and the contextual factors affecting the implementation and outcomes of the intervention.

The ‘Walk with Me’ study is a collaboration between the Schools of Health Sciences, Psychology and Sport and the Institute of Mental Health Sciences, in addition to the University of East Anglia. As part of the study, a theory-driven process evaluation is planned, guided by the MRC Process Evaluation guidelines (1).

This PhD Researcher will contribute to the full trial of the “Walk with Me” Study, and specifically focus upon the process evaluation within the trial. In preparation for the process evaluation, the PhD Researcher will undertake a systematic review of process evaluations of older adults physical activity programmes to synthesise the learning from previous studies and evaluate their research questions, methods and conduct against the MRC Process Evaluation guidelines.

Based on these findings, the PhD Researcher will undertake an analysis of the implementation fidelity of the intervention assessing the extent to which the intervention is delivered as planned by the peer mentors, adapted to suit the participant and their context, and determining if participants understand and are acting on the behaviour change support received. This will involve assessing audio-recording meetings between peer mentors and participants for content, delivery fidelity and the receipt and enactment of the intervention by participants (2).

Finally, the PhD Researcher will conduct focus groups with peer mentors and participants to explore what impact contextual factors have influenced variation in the implementation of the intervention and outcomes and mechanism of impact and implementation of the intervention. These would include participant characteristics, the relationship between peer mentors and participants and local opportunities to be physically active (e.g. access to parks or safe place to walk). Audio recordings of focus groups will be transcribed and analysed using appropriate analysis techniques.

The findings from the PhD will inform will inform the real-world implementation of Walk with Me in a range of settings.

"References will be requested for shortlisted candidates"

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

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 demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

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
  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
  • Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

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 5 February 2021
12:00AM

Interview Date
W/C 1st March 2021

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2021

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Professor Mark Tully

Other supervisors