ESRC DTP Collaborative Studentship: Development and Standardization of a Dyscalculia Screening Tool for Secondary School Students

The Midlands Graduate School is an accredited Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)  Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) . One of 14 such partnerships in the UK, the Midlands Graduate School is a collaboration between the University of Warwick, Aston University, University of Birmingham, University of Leicester, Loughborough University and the University of Nottingham.

Loughborough University, as part of Midlands Graduate School is now inviting applications for an ESRC Doctoral Studentship in association with our collaborative partner, the Dyscalculia Network, to commence in October 2023. The Department of Mathematics Education at Loughborough University is the largest and most prominent mathematical cognition and mathematics education research centre in the UK, and Loughborough University is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the Complete University Guide and Guardian League Table of UK universities. The Dyscalculia Network is a Community Interest Company who promote awareness of dyscalculia and maths difficulties, link students to qualified specialist tutors and assessors, offer advice and support, suggest available resources and offer teacher training.

Dyscalculia (specific learning disorder in mathematics)  affects between 3-6% of schoolchildren. Although it has a similar prevalence to dyslexia and can lead to even more detrimental consequences for life prospects, it is a largely neglected condition. In the UK, students with dyslexia are about a hundred times more likely to be officially diagnosed (and to receive educational support)  than students with dyscalculia. Thus, students with mathematics difficulties are currently left behind by the education system. The aim of this project is to advance the diagnosis of dyscalculia in secondary schools by developing and standardizing a screening tool, which will consist of a curriculum-based mathematics assessment and a clinical questionnaire. The PhD student will work on the development and testing of these materials in large samples of secondary school students, as well as in pupils with dyscalculia. The student will also have regular contact with the Directors of the Dyscalculia Network, and will be offered placement and shadowing opportunities. The planned activities will enable the PhD student to develop excellent skills for a variety of future careers, including academia, teaching, educational materials design, educational interventions and educational policymaking.

Application Process

To be considered for this PhD, please complete the Collaborative Studentship application form available online here. Please upload an anonymised CV and cover letter as part of the online application process. Shortlisted applicants will also be required to provide transcripts and two references.

Application deadline: Monday 27^th February.

Midlands Graduate School ESRC DTP

Our ESRC studentships cover fees at the home rate, a maintenance stipend, and extensive support for research training, as well as research activity support grants. Support is available to both home and international applicants. For further details, visit: www.mgsdtp.ac.uk/studentships/eligibility/.

Informal enquiries about the research or the Department of Mathematics Education prior to application can be directed to Dr. Kinga Morsanyi (k.e.morsanyi@lboro.ac.uk) 

Advert information