Vice-Chancellor's Studentships 2023

24-hour recommendations outline that for children to attain optimal health, they should achieve high levels of physical activity, low levels of sedentary behaviour, and sufficient sleep, yet most young people fail to meet all three guidelines. Schools have been suggested as the ideal setting for health-promoting interventions.

The Happy Homework curriculum-based intervention was created in 2019 and was developed to encourage children and their families to increase physical activity, reduce sedentary behaviour and improve sleep. Initial research has provided some useful insights, but there is a need for further refinement.

To progress the work, a technology-driven intervention which aims to reduce the time and costs associated with the implementation of Happy Homework will be created.

This project will include three stages:

1. A review of existing interventions targeting any of the 24-hour health behaviours in the home setting to explore the empirical research on the effects of such interventions on primary school children’s health.
2. Undertake interviews/focus groups with key stakeholders to co-produce and refine the Happy Homework curriculum-based intervention.
3. Conduct a mixed-methods study to explore acceptability, fidelity, dose and change in 24-hour health behaviours of participants. Semi-structured interviews will also be undertaken to explore the extent to which the revised intervention meets the needs of teachers, parents, and stakeholders.

We anticipate that the project will reach a wide range of individuals including those at most risk of not meeting recommended levels of 24-hour health behaviours. The revised intervention may be used within a variety of education authorities.

Our research interests map to UN SDG 2 Zero Hunger, 3 Good Health and Well-being, 4 Quality Education, 5 Gender Equality and 10 Reduced Inequality.

The candidate will have strong interests in the development of e-health interventions to improve the overall health and wellbeing of primary school children and their families, through the promotion of health conducive activity behaviours.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

Environment and finances

Based in our award-winning, state-of-the-art Lanarkshire campus, the Sport and Physical Activity Institute (SPARI) at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is looking to appoint a PhD candidate to join its vibrant PhD community. The successful applicant will receive an annual stipend for three years and have their tuition fees paid. This project builds upon our ongoing work exploring 1) exercise and physical activity in older adults and 2) Mobile health (mHealth) approaches to measure and improve health outcomes.

Background and rationale for the project

Currently there is no evidence-based framework to guide the design, development, and deployment of mobile technology for older adults. Without a framework, apps will not consider older adults' experiences, needs or expectations, and not realise the potential of mobile technology to improve lives. Ironically, ~70% of people aged 60 years and over in the UK own a smartphone.

Sarcopenia is defined as a progressive and generalised loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength associated with ageing. Muscle-strengthening exercise appears the most promising intervention to attenuate sarcopenia. However, exercise guidelines are almost never met in older adults, with only 2% of over 70s achieving the recommended two sessions of muscle strengthening per week. Taken together, a) mobile apps are not designed with older adults in mind, and b) older adults do not habitually complete muscle strengthening exercise.

Project outline

The project will start with a systematic review of useability reports from prior studies. The review will inform a series of focus groups to understand where app design fails (or succeeds) when used by older adults. Finally, the project will develop a mobile app to test and promote muscle strength in older adults. The app will be tested for reliability and validity against a gold standard for measuring muscle strength, and then for acceptability and feasibility at delivering a training intervention. This work will culminate in a set of recommendations for app development in older adults, with a focus on health-related apps.

The candidate

The successful candidate will have enthusiasm for the area and possess a proactive approach to research.  Applicants must have a 2:1 degree in a health science or computer science related area (e.g., Sport Science, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Computer Science) at a minimum (a masters degree would be an advantage). The studentship is open to UK citizens, and EU applicants with pre-settled or settled status.

Career development

In addition to completion of this exciting project, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop competence in the following areas: systematic reviews, computer programming, research design, statistics, time management, presenting, teaching, assessing, and developing undergraduate teaching. These opportunities are with the aim of the successful candidate maximising their employability on completion of the PhD.

For more information or to discuss the project informally, please contact Dr Lawrence Hayes (lawrence.hayes@uws.ac.uk). 

Application Deadline:  30/06/2023
Start Date:  01/10/2023

About the project

The University of the West of Scotland is offering an exciting opportunity for a fully funded PhD studentship to explore the sustainability of reforms to the Olympics bidding process.

Interest in hosting mega-sporting events like the Olympic Games has declined in recent years, particularly in democratic contexts, as the scale of these events clashes with sustainability agendas. From the decision to award the 2024 and 2028 Games simultaneously to the pausing of the contest for the 2030 Winter Olympics, both due to a shortage of potential host cities, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) faces a serious challenge to its modus operandi. This project will examine the way the Olympic Games is responding to these challenges with changes to the bidding process. In particular, it will consider how the process of reform is shaped by those involved, whose voices are included in the process, and how discourses of sustainability are deployed.

The aim of the project is:

• To evaluate the process of reform to Olympic Games bidding and its effects on sustainable development in future host cities.

The objectives of the project are:

• To critically understand the role of a wide variety of stakeholders in influencing reform to the bidding process
• To map the institutional logics shaping change in the Olympic Games bidding process
• To interrogate the multi-faceted discourses of sustainability used to legitimate reform to the bidding process

The successful candidate will join the Centre for Culture, Sport and Events and be supervised by researchers from the centre with experience in sport management, event management, and sociology. The successful candidate will join a growing team of doctoral researchers working on themes of mega-events, sustainability and human rights and will have the opportunity to participate in international mobilities through the existing EU-funded EventRights project.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Adam Talbot, Prof David McGillivray and Dr Chloe Maclean. Informal enquires should be sent to adam.talbot@uws.ac.uk

Eligibility criteria:

• A strong first degree (2.1 or a first class honours) in a relevant subject area
• A Masters degree is desirable (but not essential)
• To be UK or EU nationals, have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years at the time of application (‘ordinarily resident’ excludes those whose main purpose of residence was full-time education) or ‘settled’ in the UK or EU (i.e. granted Right of Abode or Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain in the UK or have the right of permanent residence in the UK under EC law).

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

About the project

This PhD offers an exciting opportunity to examine physical activity provision for survivors of violence against women in Scotland. It is fully funded by the University of the West of Scotland and supervised by staff members from the division of social sciences and the division of sport and exercise sciences.

Violence against women is a global epidemic and one of the UN’s recognised global challenges. Violence against women can involve physical, sexual, verbal and/or emotional abuses of power over women and girls. For some survivors, trauma from their abuse is woven into the body in ways that can limit women’s' use of, and relationship with, their body. Whilst physical activity and sport is often recognised for it’s ability to improve individual’s relationships with their body, little is academically known about the physical activity experiences, needs and desires of violence against women survivors. This PhD will address some of this gap in knowledge.

The aim of this project is to explore how violence against women survivors’ physical activity needs and desires are being met, or not, within Scotland. The project has 3 research objectives:

• To identify existing provision of physical activity specifically for violence against women survivors’ in Scotland
• Explore the approaches taken by physical activity for violence against women providers in Scotland
• Understand survivors’ experiences of, and desires for, physical activity

This project has important implications for academic understanding of VAW survivors’ physical activity needs and desires, as well as practical implications for the provisions of physical activity specifically for this group. As such, this project has great potential to make a positive difference in the world.

The PhD will be based within both the UWS Centre for Culture Sport and Events and the Sustainable Policy Analysis Research Centre (SPARC), enabling the successful candidate to engage with a vibrant community of researchers exploring issues of social justice, policy, and sport.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Chloe Maclean, Dr Rebecca Gordon and Dr Eilidh Macrae. Informal enquires should be sent to chloe.maclean@uws.ac.uk

Eligibility criteria:

• A strong first degree (2.1 or a first class honours) ideally in a relevant social science or sport subject. Other first degrees would be considered with equivalent work experience in either gender-based violence services or sport for development.
• A Masters degree is desirable (but not essential)
• To be UK or EU nationals, have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years at the time of application (‘ordinarily resident’ excludes those whose main purpose of residence was full-time education) or ‘settled’ in the UK or EU (i.e. granted Right of Abode or Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain in the UK or have the right of permanent residence in the UK under EC law).
• Previous research or study experience of gender or embodiment would be preferred
• Knowledge of qualitative research approaches and/or feminist research approaches is desirable

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

This three-year fully-funded studentship offers an outstanding opportunity to work with high-quality administrative data to examine inequalities in the distribution of charitable food aid in the UK. Using longitudinal and spatial data analysis methods, the PhD project will provide insight on a range of issues related to food insecurity, material deprivation, and the role of charity in tackling major sustainable development challenges.

The recent history of poverty in the UK has been characterised by the emergence of charitable food aid to address increasing levels of deprivation and financial precarity. The Covid-19 pandemic and current cost-of-living crisis further exacerbated inequalities in economic and food insecurity, with major food support organizations reporting unprecedented levels of demand.

Based in the Sustainable Policy Analysis Research Centre (SPARC), the successful student will join other researchers studying sustainable development issues (e.g., climate change and social justice, under-and-unemployment); and benefit from multidisciplinary supervision, and opportunities to engage with non-academic partners in the areas of poverty and policy-making in Scotland / UK.

This project would be well suited to a prospective PhD student with solid quantitative data analysis skills and a strong interest in social / public policy. The student should have a Masters degree with at least 60 credits relating to social science research methods. Experience analysing administrative / geographic data would be an advantage, as would evidence of engaging with / disseminating research findings to non-academic stakeholders.

Informal discussions about the studentship and research project can be directed to Dr Diarmuid McDonnell (diarmuid.mcdonnell@uws.ac.uk).

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to study host-pathogen interactions during Toxoplasma gondii infection to inform drug discovery and drug delivery. This project will be based at the University of the West of Scotland Lanarkshire campus funded by the UWS Vice-Chancellor studentship scheme. The candidate will be working in the labs of Dr Stuart Woods, Dr Jamie Whitelaw and Professor Fiona Henriquez who have extensive experience in the fields of parasitology, cell biology and drug delivery.

Academic profiles can be found here:

• https://research-portal.uws.ac.uk/en/persons/stuart-woods
• https://research-portal.uws.ac.uk/en/persons/jamie-whitelaw
• https://research-portal.uws.ac.uk/en/persons/fiona-henriquez-mui

T. gondii is a successful zoonotic parasite, capable of infecting any warm-blooded animal or bird. The infection is commonly acquired through contaminated food, water, and contact with infected cats which spread the parasite in their faeces. In healthy individuals, toxoplasmosis may only present as mild flu like symptoms but can be severe for those with a weakened immune system and for the foetus if the mother becomes infected during pregnancy. It is estimated that the parasite infects approximately one-third of the global human population and once infected the parasite transforms from an acute stage and persists in a dormant state for the lifetime of the host. Currently there are no vaccines available for use in humans and available drugs treatments are limited to the acute stages of infection.

This project will develop in vitro T. gondii infection models using human stem cell derived organoids to model host pathogen interactions. These models will mimic the tissues of their origin; having the cellular organisation, functionality, and genetic makeup of the organism from where the stem cells are derived. The student will initially focus on developing brain and muscle organoids to model T. gondii in a more accurate 3D tissue culture system. This will represent an advancement from traditional 2D tissue culture systems which lack cellular interactions and tissue architectures. Using these models, the candidate would validate the in vitro analysis of new potential therapeutics for T. gondii infection.

Successful candidates will at a minimum hold a First Class or Upper Second-Class Honours degree in a related biological science.

Ideally the candidate will have experience in:

• Cell culture
• Molecular and cellular biology
• Competent data analysis and presentation skills

During the project you will be expected to develop skills in:

• Microscopy
• Flow cytometry
• Bioinformatic data analysis
• Handling pathogens in Category 2 containment facilities
• Advanced tissue culture protocols
• Drug formulation using NISV platform technologies.

Students will also have the opportunity to attend and present at national and international conferences.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is seeking to attract a PhD candidate of outstanding ability and commitment to join its vibrant and growing postgraduate research community in a programme of internationally excellent research.

Amounting evidence suggests the oral-gut-brain axis has an important role in brain health, with more recent studies suggesting a putative role of certain microbes in the oral cavity in the progression and severity of dementia. This PhD opportunity is based on our pioneering research which has demonstrated that beetroot juice, rich in nitrate and polyphenols, can modulate the oral microbiome, including reducing pathogenic bacteria, and improve markers of periodontitis (gum disease) and cardiovascular health (Burleigh et al., 2019; Burleigh et al., 2020). We aim to build upon this signature research area in conjunction with applied dementia research in the School´s Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice. The aim of the project is to explore the role of the oral microbiome of persons living with dementia (PLwD) and investigate the influence of beetroot juice on the oral microbiome and health outcomes (cardiovascular and cognitive function) in this population.

This multidisciplinary project will involve laboratory work and conducting clinical trials, including a dietary intervention in PLwD. Applicants should hold at least a first or second-class honours degree from a university in the United Kingdom and preferably a Masters degree in a relevant discipline within biological or medical sciences. The ideal candidate should have relevant experience in bioinformatics, microbiology and/or nutrition. All informal enquiries or expressions of interest can be made by email to Dr Rachel Kimble (Rachel.Kimble@uws.ac.uk).

In the online application, please upload a word document entitled ‘research proposal’ which includes the title of the PhD studentship and for the attention of Dr Rachel Kimble within the body of the document.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

The School of Business and Creative Industries at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has a strong and growing research community of world-leading excellence. This funded PhD Studentship seeks an ethically focussed, motivated candidate to engage with and interrogate practice and scholarship with the UWS hosted De-Centred Shakespeares Network (DSN).

Active since 2020, DSN was created by the supervisory team and has brought together scholars and practitioners from Brazil, Ghana, India, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales to explore site-focussed digital performance practices.

DSN focuses on four areas of inquiry:

1. De-centre and decolonise the research and practice of Shakespeare’s plays by inverting flows of knowledge predicated on outdated colonial dynamics.
2. Explore performances, digitally self-recorded (on smart phones or easily accessible cameras) in colonial heritage sites, by researchers and practitioners deploying historic and contemporary indigenous language and identity tropes in response to and/or in translation with Shakespeare’s plays.
3. Consider how translated and multilingual performances of Shakespeare(s) offer new readings, insights and/or compromises of the plays that develop and extend postcolonial exploration.
4. Assess how each participating group’s digital and self-recorded practices empower de-centred approaches to Shakespeare’s plays in teaching or in practice, and how these practices engage with cultural heritage.

The successful candidate will initially undertake a broad contextualisation of literature and practice in the key thematic areas of the project. They will then work collaboratively with the network partners to observe and contribute to developing de-centred methods and sustainable practices, before exploring how these principles and practices can be applied within an educational context. Key research and knowledge from these partnerships will then be applied to an educational project in Scotland, speaking to the knowledge inversion principle of DSN and the supervision team’s own expertise in the cultural representation of Scotland.

Candidates with experience of research and/or practice in de-centred, digital, and/or de-colonial contexts are encouraged to apply. An understanding of how to implement drama educational projects, whether in Primary, Secondary and/or Tertiary settings, is also desirable.

The candidate will complete training in ethical research methods and will work towards the publication of parts of this PhD in esteemed, peer-reviewed journals as well as producing public, practice-based outputs.

For more information about the PhD Studentship or any enquiries about the project, please contact Dr Henry Bell (lead supervisor), henry.bell@uws.ac.uk and/or Dr Stephen Collins, stephen.collins@uws.ac.uk and/or Dr Kathryn Burnett, Kathryn.Burnett@uws.ac.uk

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

Data suggests that hate crime directed at the LGBTQI+ community is increasing (Chao-Fong, 2021; European Parliament, 2022). With the increased politicization of transgender issues, hate crime directed at trans people is rising and there have been recent high-profile cases of trans people being the victim of violence, including murder. Despite data that suggests the reporting of hate crimes is increasing (COPFS, 2022), underreporting remains a significant issue within marginalized communities (Bridger et al., 2017; Hardy, 2019; Miles-Johnson, 2013). This can have a number of negative impacts on victims of crime, including not getting support to help them deal with their victimisation (Duncan et al., 2014).

Previous research has documented multiple barriers to reporting hate crime. For example, previous research has shown that victims may not know exactly what a hate crime is and so they may not recognize that a crime has been committed against them (Chakraborti et al., 2014). Other reasons for not reporting hate crime to the police include normalizing or accepting hate crime as part of the victim’s experience, prior negative experiences with the police, and fear or repercussions (Fitch-Bartlett and Healy, 2022). Previous research has also indicated that part of the reason that members of the LGBTQI+ community are significantly less likely to report crime (not specifically hate crime) to the police is because of a belief in police homophobia (Miles-Johnson, 2013). Perceptions of the criminal justice system matter when deciding whether to report hate crime.

Although there is some understanding about the under-reporting of hate crime in the UK, more research needs to be done in Scotland to understand barriers to the reporting of hate crime, methods of reducing those barriers, and why some victims do report hate crime.

The proposed research has the following objectives:

1. To explore the changing nature of legislation, policy and practice surrounding hate crime in the UK.
2. To examine public understanding of hate crime legislation in Scotland. Specifically, does the public know what hate crime is and who can be impacted? Do understandings of hate crime differ according to different social categories/demographics/?
3. To understand LGBTQI+ individuals’ experiences of hate crime in Scotland? How does this differ across different categories and demographics?
4. To explore the factors that prohibit and encourage the reporting of hate crime to the police. Specifically, the project will seek to understand why people report hate crime to the police. If we can understand the tipping point, or the nature of those experiences that have led to reporting, then perhaps we can empower more victims of hate crime to report their victimisation to the police.

This project will take a mixed-methods approach to data collection, including participatory and creative methods. The selected candidate will receive in-house training and supervision from experts on policing, hate crime, and victimisation, as well as research methods. Candidates are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum 2:1 honours undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related area (e.g., Criminology/Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology). A Master’s degree with a significant research methods component would be preferred, but is not essential.

Please contact heather.myles@uws.ac.uk if you have any queries.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is seeking to attract a PhD candidate of outstanding ability and commitment to join its vibrant and growing programme of internationally excellent research.

This studentship will explore how the care and treatment needs of people with suspected or diagnosed dementia living in Scotland’s high secure forensic setting are currently being met and how this could be improved. It will also identify the barriers and facilitators to maximising quality of care and treatment.

People in forensic mental health services have typically committed a serious offence and live with significant enduring mental health disorders. Forensic mental health services fulfil a public protection role by managing the risk of harm they may pose to others alongside the provision of medical, psychological, nursing and social interventions. They must maximize a person’s opportunity to achieve and demonstrate recovery and rehabilitation, so the restrictions placed upon them are minimized or ceased (Barron, 2021). The number of older people detained in forensic settings is increasing (Moll 2013, Di Lorito et al., 2017, Barron, 2021). Older forensic patients often have multiple co-morbidities and complex care needs, especially those living with dementia (Stoliker et al.,2022). There is a gap in specialist provision for people who have more significant age-related physical or cognitive difficulties who require care in this setting (Barron, 2021). This lack of opportunities for older forensic patients to engage in treatment results in increased lengths of stay and restrictions remaining (Das et al., 2012, Di Lorito et al., 2019, Völlm et al.,2016). Cognitive impairment in this population appears prevalent (Verhulsdank et al ., 2023) with a recent study positively screening 45% of patients who met the criteria for a clinical dementia assessment (Stolkier et al., 2022).

This PhD studentship aims, through a case study approach and qualitative and creative methods, to understand how the biopsychosocial needs of people with cognitive impairment living in Scotland’s high secure forensic setting are assessed and met and how their care could be improved. It also aims to explore the enablers and barriers, including the physical environment, to providing biopsychosocial care for people with cognitive impairment in this setting.

The successful candidate will be based in the Division of Psychology, School of Education and Social Sciences, Paisley Campus, and will be supported by a multidisciplinary supervisory team based in the School of Education and Social Sciences and the School of Health and Life Sciences.

The studentship is open to UK citizens and EU applicants with pre-settled or settled status. Candidates should hold a first- or second-class honours degree from a university in the United Kingdom in a relevant discipline. Please quote the Project Reference number above when submitting your research proposal.

Informal enquiries can be sent to Dr Nicola Douglas-Smith (Nicola.Douglas-Smith@uws.ac.uk) but applicants can only be accepted through the UWS online system.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

Online hate and extremism are especially prevalent in society, disproportionately affecting already marginalised communities (Stechemesser et al., 2022; Busby, 2022). The issue is so prevalent that UN Secretary-General Guterres called it a “tsunami” (UN, 2020). There is considerable evidence on the causes, effects, and regulation of online hate speech and extremist content (Kenski et al., 2020). However, what remains severely under-investigated is how the public perceives online hate speech and extremism, and how contextual factors shape these perceptions (Busby, 2022; Schmid et al., 2022). Given the current socio-political context whereby there are polarized debates on what constitutes ‘factual’ information and considering that hate speech is a social construct, researchers and policymakers often make errors when making assumptions about how people perceive hate and extremism (Busby, 2022). Perceptions and judgements of others shape the civil liberties people afford to others, citizens’ attitudes, and partisanship more broadly (Busby, 2022).

The few studies that have been conducted on public perceptions of online hate and extremist speech have investigated how individual factors such as media consumption influence perceptions (Kenski et al., 2020; Pauwels and Hardyns, 2018). However, it is also important to understand how social media environments and the way in which hate, and extremist speech, may be expressed can influence how hate speech is perceived among the public.

It is only by researching public perceptions and contextual factors affecting them that we can begin to develop effective intervention strategies that combat the normalization of hate speech in social media (Stechemesser et al., 2022). Researching public perceptions can illustrate the gaps that scholars and policymakers have in trying to combat such content (Busby, 2022). It can also set the baseline for further research exploring the issues in the future (Schmid et al., 2022).

The project objectives are:

1. To explore what online hate speech and extremism means to people by considering whether certain forms of online hate speech/extremist messages are considered more problematic than others (e.g., name-calling, threats of violence, animosity).
2. To investigate what contextual characteristics help explain perceptions of online hate speech/extremism (e.g., presentation form (textual vs. audiovisual), directness of hate speech (overt vs. covert), use of humour).
3. To contribute to current policy discourse about addressing online hate speech/extremism and counteracting its normalization.

This project will take a mixed-methods approach to data collection. The selected candidate will receive in-house training and supervision from experts on online hate speech and extremism, as well as research methods. Candidates are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum 2:1 honours undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related area (e.g., criminology, sociology, psychology, media and communication studies). A Master’s degree with a significant research methods component would be preferred.

Please contact amy-louise.watkin@uws.ac.uk if you have any queries.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

In the last decade European politics have witnessed a decline of trust in political authorities, lower political participation, and the steady rise of radical right/left parties leading to a decline in mainstream party support (Bale and Kaltwasser, 2021; McKeever, 2020), which has alarming implications for government stability and ultimately for the quality of democracy (Dalton et al. 2013; Pharr and Putnam, 2000). While distrust in government is not a new phenomenon (Crozier et al., 1975), Western democracies have recently seen increased distrust in democratic institutions (Covid-19 medical guidelines, judicial rulings on Brexit) when aligned to ‘traditional’ politics and political authorities (Howell and Moe, 2020).
Studies considering threats to democracy highlight the role of socioeconomic factors, such as inequality of opportunities for political participation, which is biased towards more privileged citizens, resulting in unequal representation of interests (Lijphart, 1997). With regards to socioeconomic analysis, the paradigmatic change to labour markets due to the fourth industrial revolution (Schwab, 2017) must be studied, since the rapid increase of non-traditional and precarious forms of employment (Kalleberg and Vallas, 2018) will likely affect individuals’ security, opportunities, and political behaviour.

This project focuses on the crisis of democracy as a major global challenge and situates citizens’ low engagement with traditional politics and distrust in democratic institutions in the context of the non-traditional work phenomenon. The project aims to answer two research questions, through a mixed methods approach and comparative analysis, in the UK and one other European country (for example France):

• What explains citizens’ low engagement with traditional politics and distrust in democratic institutions in the context of changing nature of work?
• What strategies are mainstream parties adopting in response to citizens’ declining political participation?

Collaboration: The studentship will be co-supervised by Dr Anna McKeever, Dr Vanesa Fuertes and Prof Murray Leith. By virtue of the scholarship funding, the successful candidate will also become a member of the Centre for Migration, Diaspora, Citizenship and Identity at the UWS.

Location of position: Paisley, Scotland.

Eligibility criteria and conditions:

Applicants will hold:

• A good honours degree from a UK or EU University or equivalent institution - normally at First Class or Upper Second Class level.
• And a Masters level qualification (or equivalent) in political science, political economy, political sociology or relevant discipline (e.g. social policy, social sciences, public policy). Our preference is for applicants who already have or are in the process of obtaining a master’s degree, but we will consider exceptional applicants without a masters.
• Applicants, whose first language is not English must produce appropriate IELTS score (overall score 6.5, no subtest less than 6) unless their honours and/or master’s degree has been fully obtained from an English-taught UK University.

In addition to undertaking a full time study the research studentship holder will normally be expected to contribute up to 6 hours a week to UWS’ academic related activities.

Informal enquiries should be made by email to Dr Anna McKeever (anna.mckeever@uws.ac.uk), Dr Vanesa Fuertes (vanesa.fuertes@uws.ac.uk) and Prof Murray Leith (murray.leith@uws.ac.uk). Successful applicants will be asked to submit the application through the UWS online system.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

The project explores the role of leadership in the development of resilience towards sustainable economic growth in the SME sector of Scotland. The SME sector accounts for over 56% of all private-sector employment in the Scottish Economy (Connor, 2021). Previous work has demonstrated the importance of the private sector towards both the regional and national economies of Scotland (Steiner and Atterton, 2014). However, like many other cases the Scottish SMEs faced significant struggles in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic with many businesses struggling to keep the business afloat amidst financial difficulties (Arshed and Knox, 2022). The Scottish government acknowledged the threats of such crisis and the activation of the Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGRR) alongside the cabinet office guarantees all necessary steps are activated to deal with any type of disruptive scenario (Peng, 2021). The projects seek to identify how SMEs could develop resilience strategies to overcome such situations in the future and the role of leadership in navigating businesses towards sustainable economic growth strategies.

However, given the uncertainty of the business landscape, many individuals, organizations as well as governments are concerned about developing capabilities and strategies to overcome crisis situations that are becoming a common occurrence. The literature has highlighted the need to investigate further the role of leadership in activating the resilience capabilities of small businesses (Acevedo-Duque et al., 2021; Sarkar and Clegg, 2021).

The project aims to expand on the contribution of SMEs and links towards SDG 8 on sustainable economic growth. Secondly, it builds on the idea of resilience towards leadership and entrepreneurship fostering an innovation-driven culture as encouraged by SDG 9.

Finally, the study also aims to strengthen the existing knowledge and understanding of the policy framing and provide an awareness of what is needed to improve the governance mechanisms aligning with SDG 16.

Based on the above understanding the following objectives are aimed to be achieved.

1. Developing a comprehensive theoretical framework surrounding resilience strategies towards sustainable economic growth
2. Identify the role of leadership in SMEs and the key barriers towards achieving its full potential.
3. Assess the present business climate of Scotland and post pandemic recovery process in the context of SMEs.
4. Identify the existing policy and governmental support mechanism in building resilience and leadership to foster and ensure business survival.

The project is from the Social Impact Leadership and Management (SILM) research group of The School of Business and Creative Industries.

We are seeking a prospective PhD student with the expertise and perseverance to see the project through to success. In the first instance, informal enquiries should be made by email to Dr Isuru Koswatte (isuru.koswatte@uws.ac.uk).

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

This project funding covers university fees. The project is co-funded by RazBio (pvt) Ltd.

Project Description

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our team for a research project on "FOod SecuriTy with prEcision farming (FOSTER) by Leveraging IoT and AI for Efficient Crop Monitoring and Disease Diagnosis". The project aims to develop a smart and efficient crop monitoring and disease diagnosis system for precision farming, using IoT and AI technologies.

The successful candidate for this project will collaborate closely with RazBio, an organisation focused on innovation in agriculture. The candidate will be benefited from the research achievements and capabilities of Data anaLyTics for Intelligent and Autonomous Systems (DeLTA Lab), and Artificial Intelligence, Visual Communications and Networks (AVCN) research centre.

The successful candidate will work on developing and testing innovative IoT sensors and AI algorithms for real-time crop monitoring, pest and disease detection, and diagnosis. The research will involve data collection, analysis, and interpretation, as well as the development and testing of IoT sensors and AI algorithms. The project will also explore the potential of precision farming technologies to promote sustainable agriculture and food security, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in agricultural engineering, computer science, or a related field, with experience in IoT, AI, and data analysis. Excellent programming skills and experience with relevant software and hardware tools are required. Candidates should have a passion for research and a willingness to work in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.

The research challenges involve the developing AI algorithms for real-time crop monitoring, disease diagnosis, and pest identification. The research will also investigate ways to improve the accuracy and reliability of the system in different environmental conditions and crop types. Another challenge is to ensure the system's affordability and ease of use for small-scale farmers.

The project aligns with UNSDG Goals, particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger, by enhancing food security through the development of precision farming technologies. The research also contributes to Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, by developing and implementing smart farming technologies using IoT and AI. It also contributes towards Goal 13: Climate Action, by promoting sustainable land use.

For enquiries, please contact Dr Shahid Awan, shahid.awan@uws.ac.uk, sending a CV and two academic references.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health concern, associated with ~25000 deaths annually in Europe alone (1). A wealth of research is being undertaken globally, with a significant focus on antibiotics, medicinal overprescribing, or the direct effects of antibiotics on environmental and pathogenic bacteria (1–3). In recent years, it is becoming clear that the acquisition of AMR is more complex and multifaceted (4); the direct environmental impact, which is significantly underexplored, is required to gain a detailed understanding of potential prevention and control measures, which can then inform stakeholder. In particular, this includes the impact of anthropogenic pollutants such as organic contaminants and legacy pollution (5), which impact the surrounding microbiome(communities of microorganisms), and subsequent ecosystem on a multitrophic scale. Legacy pollution becomes a more prominent point of interest as climate change results in more extreme weathering events, which can result in a sedimentary turnover and pollutant liberation.

This research intends to adopt a “One Health” approach to address multiple UN Sustainable development goals. We seek to explore multiple marine environments due to their ability to represent major receptors and conveyors of pollutants and impact the microbiomes that give rise to AMR (6-9). Specifically, we aim to investigate levels of key organic pollutants (e.g., antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, Polyaromatic hydrocarbons) on the prevalence of AMR and evaluate any climate-induced changes through extensive seasonal sampling.

Project objectives:

• To identify and measure key organic pollutants found in different aquatic environments such as rivers, estuaries, and sea waters, to map and evaluate source, location, and seasonal changes.
• Measure levels of resistance of key microorganisms.
• Identify geochemical drivers that could be responsible for genetic mutations and/or the acquisition of resistant genes.
• Investigate mechanicalistic hypotheses using controlled experiments and rigorous statistical analysis.

Overall, this project will provide an exciting experience for the prospective student in a diverse range of areas; in both environmental chemistry and biology, as well as providing a platform to develop skills in an array of experimental techniques: LC-MS, ICP-AES/MS, GC-MS / TOF, Cell culture, molecular biology, microbiology, PCR, Susceptibility assays and Sequencing. Furthermore, there will be opportunities to attend and partake in national and international conferences.

Person specification:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven candidate who should have a minimum of a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree, and ideally a Masters-level qualification.
The ideal candidate will have a background in either chemistry, organic analysis, microbiology or environmental geochemistry, with a strong interest in expanding skills through interdisciplinary research.
As the project will involve both microbiological and chemical research methods and analysis, experience in both would be preferred, though not essential.

The University and Team:

This PhD is based at the University of the West of Scotland, at both the Lanarkshire and Paisley campuses, and is funded for 3 years, through the Vice-Chancellor studentship scheme. The candidate will work with a diverse team of experts, with three members based at UWS: Dr Kiri Rodgers (Environmental Geochemist), Dr Yalinu Poya (Chemist) and Professor Fiona Henriquez (Parasitology/Protistology), as well as having a fourth supervisor from the University of Strathclyde; Dr Charlese Knapp (Environmental Microbiologist). Each supervisors’ profiles can be seen in the following links:

• Dr Kiri Rodgers
• Dr Yalinu Poya
• Professor Fiona Henriquez
• Dr Charles Knapp

Before you apply:

It is recommended that candidates contact one of the lead supervisors to discuss the project before applying: Dr Kiri Rodgers (kiri.rodgers@uws.ac.uk), or Dr Yalinu Poya (Yalinu.poya@uws.ac.uk)

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is seeking to attract a PhD candidate of outstanding ability and commitment to join its vibrant and growing programme of internationally excellent research.

There is growing awareness and concern about the worsening mental health of children and young people (Pitchforth et al., 2019), which has been exasperated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic (Panchal et al., 2021). Despite increasing prevalence of mental health concerns in young people, only two thirds of those experiencing poor mental health are likely to access support services (Radez et al., 2021). Therefore, finding alternative ways to provide wider and more inclusive access to preventative therapeutic support is vital. The Scottish Government Education Policy SGEP (2021) announced a £120 million investment for a Mental Health Recovery and Renewal fund and the Scottish Government recognises that the school environment is an important factor in developing social and emotional well-being and mental health (Scottish Government, 2018).

Whilst research has demonstrated how characteristics of the school environment relate to academic achievement (Barret et al., 2015; Edgerton et al., 2023) there has been less research on other ‘educational’ outcomes. However, studies have indicated that design characteristics such as levels of stimulation, and naturalness can impact on students’ psychosocial outcomes such as self-esteem, feelings of being valued and identity development (Maxwell and Chmielewski, 2008; Rae et al., 2023). When we consider the amount of time that children and young people spend in school, it is clear that the school settings provides a considerable opportunity to influence pupils’ social and emotional well-being.

This project aims to understand the school environment beyond functionality by acknowledging the emotional needs of school students. Listening to the voices of young people and their experience of the school environment using a range of creative and innovative methods, can provide us with insights that may allow us to facilitate a better match between the social and emotional needs of children and young people and small-scale design aspects of the physical school environment.

The successful candidate will be based in the Division of Psychology, School of Education and Social Sciences, Paisley Campus, and will be supported by a multidisciplinary supervisory team based in the School of Education and Social Sciences.

The studentship is open to UK citizens and EU applicants with pre-settled or settled status. Candidates should hold a first or an upper second-class honours degree from a university in the United Kingdom in a relevant discipline and relevant work experience would be advantageous. Please quote the Project Reference number above when submitting your research proposal.

Informal enquiries can be sent to Dr Nicola Douglas-Smith (Nicola.Douglas-Smith@uws.ac.uk).

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is seeking to attract a PhD candidate of outstanding ability and commitment to join its vibrant and growing programme of internationally excellent research.

There is limited knowledge about experiences of people living with younger-onset dementia, which is recognised as requiring global attention (Ryan et al., 2022). In comparison with older dementia patients, YOD patients show worse performance on attention and visuospatial tasks, yet often have preserved memory skills at the onset of the disorder (Smits et al., 2012). Therefore, visuospatial attention is a critical function to examine in YOD groups. Impaired visuospatial and attentional functions can cause a unique set of challenges including difficulties in wayfinding (Mishler & Neider, 2017). It is important to understand wayfinding challenges specific to YOD individuals, and to build an evidence base of how enhancements can be made. Thus, the proposed PhD research will examine how wayfinding disruptions impact people living with YOD, and the potential for low-cost signage solutions to mitigate its impact.

This role involves working with an interdisciplinary team to conduct mixed-methods research. It will include qualitative research on wayfinding challenges faced by people with YOD, and quantitative research on how changes to the placement and appearance of wayfinding cues (e.g., signage) may impact how people with YOD can find their way around simulation and in-situ spaces. This project has the scope to use techniques such as mobile eye-tracking to address the research questions.

The successful candidate will be based in the Division of Psychology, School of Education and Social Sciences, Paisley Campus, with additional guidance and support from the Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice (ASCPP; Lanarkshire Campus). Find out more about the School and the ASCPP.

The studentship is open to UK citizens and EU applicants with pre-settled or settled status. Candidates should hold a first- or second-class honours degree from a university in the United Kingdom in a relevant discipline. Please quote the Project Reference number above when submitting your research proposal.

Informal enquiries can be sent to Dr. Bianca Hatin (bianca.hatin@uws.ac.uk).

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

There is growing interest in the use of blue space for recreation in the UK, which has potential to improve physical, mental and social health through inclusive community recreation (1, 2, 3). However, there is little research regarding potential risks to health from recreational activities involving direct contact with water. Water quality is variable and influenced by legacy pollutants; contaminated water is associated with a variety of health problems (2, 4). Climate change related extreme weather events (EWEs) increase the likelihood of inorganic/organic contaminants in water from land run-off and sedimentary remobilisation (5). Pathogens which cause gastro-intestinal, ear and skin infections, commonly enter surface waters via surface run-off and point source discharges such as waste water treatment overflows (2).

This project will take a whole systems approach to understanding the risks and benefits of accessing urban/industrial blue spaces for water-based sports and recreation. Through codesign of mitigation measures with local stakeholders, we aim to aid in the design of inclusive, accessible blue spaces to promote health, wellbeing and environmental sustainability in coastal communities. A mixed methods approach will be used to integrate environmental quality assessment with mapping of the physical and social landscape of blue space, allowing a more rounded view of the potential of blue space to impact public health. Viewing blue space use through a climate change lens will add a novel element and broaden the applicability of the study to a wider range of contexts. Additionally an ‘inequalities perspective’ will be a driving factor in the qualitative element of the study, in recognition of the fact that blue space is not utilised equally by marginalised groups (6).

The project will focus on the Scottish coastal town, Irvine. An ongoing council-led regeneration of the harbour area (7) has potential to address some of the socioeconomic and health challenges typical of coastal communities. There is interest in developing a water sports hub, with a view to increasing tourism and offering healthy leisure facilities for the local community. Whilst the problem identified in this case study will be local, the solutions identified are likely to have wider-reaching implications. Social Return on Investment (SROI) is suggested as a method of understanding the financial viability of blue space development (8), which will assist in the transferability of this methodology to other locations.

This proposed pilot study, and subsequent larger scale study are aligned with UN SDGs 3, 6, 10, 11, 13 and 17. Sustainable impact will be achieved through our multi-disciplinary team working in partnership with the local council, community and stakeholders to understand environmental and social processes that affect the health implications of blue space usage. The team will strive to develop interventions which will support community resilience to climate change

Aim:

To determine whether use of the water for recreation is a sustainable option for a healthy lifestyle, in light of the environmental risks which may be heightened by climate change (EWEs).

Provisional Objectives:

1. To understand and map water contamination (inorganic and organic) over a range of seasons/weather systems, to better understand climate effects, and identify risks to health from blue space usage (including the impact of the regeneration process itself).
2. To understand the motivations and barriers of communities to the use of blue space for water sports, to facilitate understanding of the benefits to health
3. To co-design interventions to mitigate the effects of increasingly frequent extreme weather events (EWEs) on contamination of blue space and on the health of those using the water for recreation.
4. To conduct a Social Return On Investment (SROI) of the regeneration activities to examine investment in blue space and use of community assets.

Person specification:

The applicant should have a minimum of a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree, and ideally a masters level qualification.

The ideal candidate will have an environmental chemistry background, with a strong interest in public health and wellbeing, and health economics. Qualifications or experience in public health, economics, human geography, or sociology would be advantageous. As the project will involve both quantitative and qualitative research methods, mixed methods analysis experience is preferred, though not essential.

The candidate will be required to collect and analyse environmental samples, and also to carry out qualitative interviews or focus groups. The candidate should be willing to learn previously unfamiliar methodologies. There may also be a requirement to learn GIS software.

Before you apply:

It is recommended that candidates contact one of the lead supervisors to discuss the project before applying: Dr Natalie Dickinson (Natalie.dickinson@uws.ac.uk), or Dr Kiri Rodgers (kiri.rodgers@uws.ac.uk).

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

The PhD studentship will assess the impact of the fly-tipping as a global phenomenon focused on a Scottish case study, mapping and comparing costs as well as implementation approaches based on the experiences of the 32 Scottish local authorities. It will examine whether existing policies enable or hinder the move towards resource efficiency and circular economy. Stakeholder mapping exercise to identify key areas of influence/gaps will provide direction for service optimisation. A survey of public attitudes and understanding will assess the awareness of both the impact of fly tipping as well as views of alternative solutions to address it. The research’s findings and recommendations will support the Scottish Government to develop policies to tackle the issue across the country and achieve the set targets for climate action.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

Project overview

Sitting at the interplay of sociology and criminology, this scholarship will explore asylum-seekers and refugees (AS&R) narratives of ‘everyday bordering’ alongside dominant political and media discourses on migration within Scotland. Experiences of everyday bordering either coerce ordinary people into being border guards or create suspected ‘illegal border crossers’ (Yuval-Davies et al 2018). The everyday segregation and criminalisation of racially minoritized groups can be seen in the proliferation of ‘cr-immigration’ discourses that frame AS&R as a ‘security risk’, and the racialised police practices enacted in response (Wonders and Jones, 2018; Brouwer et al., 2017; Kubal, 2014). In this sense, practices such as police stops, identity checks and everyday police contact become increasingly implicated in the ‘politics of belonging’ (Weber, 2022). Yuval-Wemyss et al (2018) argue that ‘everyday bordering’ has become a major technology of control’ in contemporary societies which accompanies the ‘criminalisation of everyday life’ for migrant populations.

Hostile bordering practices sit in contrast to the dominant narratives about migration within post-devolution Scotland, where there has been a proliferation of discursive practices foregrounding a vision of a ‘modern’, ‘tolerant’ and ‘welcoming’ Scotland (McCollum, Nowok and Tindal, 2014). There is, however, some evidence of a growing hostility towards migration that has emerged in recent years (ibid). In much of ‘official’ policy-and-political discourse, Scotland is positioned as a welcoming environment for migrant populations generally, AS+Rs more specifically. Print and social media are still continually used to attack and demonise AS+R by politicians to further their political agenda and popularity (Cooper et al., 2020; KhosraviNik, 2010 Brouwer et al., 2017b). These broad narratives or discourses within society are important as they draw on wider social and cultural narratives regarding how Scotland, as a collective view AS+Rs. These shared narratives inform policy development and resource allocation within society. Yet, they do not tell the full story as larger and smaller narratives that pull on the lived experience of often underrepresented groups within society can have competing stories which must also be explored.

This studentship, via narrative inquiry, will explore the discursive tension between political-and-media discourses which frame Scotland as a welcoming refuge with the narratives of AS+Rs within the confines of a devolution settlement that ties Scotland to an increasingly reactionary and hostile political climate within the UK.

Project Aims:

1. Explore how migration and asylum-seeking are represented in Scottish political and media discourses
2. Explore the narratives of everyday bordering with AS&R populations within post-devolution Scotland.
3. Compare the narrative experiences of asylum-seeking populations and refugees in Scotland to the discursive accounts of Scottish political and media discourse

The successful applicant will be based in a rich research culture within the School of Education and Social Sciences at the University of the West of Scotland. In addition, they will be supported by the Migration, Diaspora, Citizenship and Identity (MDCI) research group within the school.

Candidate Specification

The successful applicant should hold a minimum of a 2:1 (hons) degree in a relevant social science discipline. Successful completion of a master’s degree is preferable but not essential. Previous research experience and knowledge and understanding of research philosophies and methods is desired. An interest in creative methodologies, a particular interest in narrative analysis would be advantageous. Relevant practitioner experience would also be beneficial.

English Language Requirement

UWS requires an IELTS score of 6.5 or above (with no component below 6.0). IELTS tests should normally be taken no more than two years before applying to UWS.

Informal enquires can be made to Dr Conor Wilson at conor.wilson@uws.ac.uk.

Formal applications should contain both a personal statement and a short research proposal (approx. 1000 words) in response to the above project brief.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023

Project Overview

Researching and listening to the voices of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) in the UK is crucial because these children are some of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of society. UASC refers to children who arrive in the UK without a parent or guardian to look after them and who are seeking asylum.

According to the latest available data from the UK government (2020), there were 3,449 UASC who arrived in the UK in 2020. This represents a 13% decrease compared to the previous year, but it is still a significant number of children who are in need of support and protection. The majority of these children came from countries such as Sudan, Eritrea, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Recent research evinces (Children’s Society, 2018; Refugee Council, 2018; Univ. of York Centre for Applied Huma Rights, 2020) that there are many reasons why UASC are particularly vulnerable, including the trauma they may have experienced in their home countries, the dangers they face on their journey to the UK, and the challenges they may encounter once they arrive. These challenges include the risk of exploitation, abuse, and trafficking, as well as difficulties accessing education, healthcare, and legal support. Further that researching and listening to the voices of UASC is therefore essential for understanding their experiences and needs, as well as for developing policies and practices that can better support and protect them. By listening to UASC, we can gain insights into their perspectives, hopes, and fears, and tailor interventions to meet their specific needs.

Listening to the voices of UASC in Scotland using storytelling methods will help us explore their unique stories of forced migration. This PhD focuses on the lived experience of forced migration and the memories surrounding it—often extremely arduous and life-threatening circumstances, uncertainty, suffering and feelings of rootlessness. The research will trace the historical migration events and the impact it has on these children’s social, psychological and economic well-being. Critically it will explore the voices of children such that it will inform policy and practice that engenders epistemic justice; in particular against the backdrop that many unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are at risk of going missing.

Aim

The aim of this research is to investigate the lived experiences of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) in Scotland, utilizing participatory, co-productive arts-based methods of storytelling.

Objectives

1. To facilitate UASC in developing their own approach to the storytelling arts-based method in order to narrate their experiences of seeking refuge, settling in a foreign land, and establishing a new life.
2. To explore the life trajectory of UASC, focusing on three significant stages: pre-forced migration, the migration process, and post-migration experiences.
3. To employ an academic framework to facilitate data collection and analysis, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the experiences of UASC.
4. To contribute to the field of refugee support by providing in-depth insights into the experiences of UASC and potentially informing policy and practice.

The successful applicant will be based within a rich research culture within the School of Education and Social Sciences at the University of the West of Scotland. In addition, they will be supported by the Protracted Crisis Research Centre (PCRC) within the University.

Candidate Specification

The successful applicant should hold a minimum of a 2:1 (hons) degree in a relevant social science discipline. Successful completion of a master’s degree is preferable but not essential. We are seeking an outstanding PhD candidate to join our team and conduct research on the lived experiences of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Scotland. This interdisciplinary project will utilize participatory, co-productive arts-based methods of storytelling to explore the life trajectories of UASC, from pre-forced migration to post-migration experiences.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in qualitative research methods, participatory approaches, and an interest in social justice issues related to forced migration. They should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be comfortable working with vulnerable populations. We are looking for someone with a deep commitment to working collaboratively with UASC and a passion for using academic research to drive social change. Additionally, candidates with experience in co-production and arts-based methods of storytelling are highly encouraged to apply.

We recognize the importance of including diverse perspectives and experiences in our research team and believe that candidates with lived experience will bring a unique perspective to this project. If you have experienced forced migration yourself and possess the necessary skills and qualifications for this position, we encourage you to apply; your application will be given priority consideration.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the field of refugee support by providing in-depth insights into the experiences of UASC in Scotland. The successful candidate will work alongside UASC, support workers, NGOs, and policymakers, and their research has the potential to inform policy and practice. If you are passionate about this topic and possess the necessary skills and experience, we would love to hear from you.

English Language Requirement

UWS requires an IELTS score of 6.5 or above (with no component below 6.0). IELTS tests should normally be taken no more than two years before applying to UWS.

Informal enquires can be made to Dr Khadija Mohammed at Khadija.Mohammed@uws.ac.uk.

Formal applications should contain both a personal statement and a short research proposal (approx. 1000 words) in response to the above project brief.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2023
Start Date: 01/10/2023