PhD Studentships in Dementia Care

We are pleased to offer two NIHR full-time PhD studentships focusing on narratives for people living with dementia and their carers. Students will receive an annual stipend, fees and research expenses. One student will be based at the University of Nottingham and one will be based at the University of West London. We are seeking two enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals to undertake a fully funded 48-month project within dementia research using a social science approach. Doctoral students will conduct research relevant to narratives from people living with dementia and developing an online resource to support people living with dementia. 

Project description? 

Many people find listening to other people’s narrative supportive to their mental health and well-being. The LEND (Lived Experience Narratives for Dementia) project aims to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and carers by developing and evaluating the online LEND intervention tool. Many people with dementia already use online technology and this will continue to increase as the population ages. However, little is known about how use may change over time or what help is needed. 

The PhD available at the University of Nottingham, Institute of Mental Health uses mixed methods to examine the feasibility and usability of LEND platform and narrative experiences over time in relation to specific needs of the person with dementia (including severity of dementia, technology skills and support needed.  

There is a great importance to improving the understanding of the needs of underserved groups for people with dementia and family carers. There is a national priority to improve involvement of marginalised groups in research which the LEND programme epitomises. 

The PhD Studentship offered at the university of West London, Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory will use a narrative interview approach to support people with dementia, their care partners and families, to share their personal accounts and experiences and explore the depth and sensitivity of insights and understandings for people in the community who may face and experience marginalisation and are under-represented in research such as people from LGBTQI communities or people from minority ethnic groups. 

Who is this PhD suitable for? 

These PhDs are suitable for researchers with an interest in obtaining narratives from people living in dementia and developing online resources to support people living with dementia and carers.

Essential skills: A Masters in Mental Health, Psychology or similar, an understanding of dementia, knowledge of strength and weaknesses of scientific research, excellent computer literacy skills, good inter-personal communication skills. Desirable skills: Clinical or personal experience of people living with dementia.    

Funding notes

Two four-year studentship covers UK home tuition fees only and a tax-free stipend. Applications are only open to students who qualify for UK home tuition fees.   

The PhD based at the University of Nottingham will be £19,531 (stipend) and £4,712 per annum (university fees) plus up to £900 for research costs. 

The PhD based at the University of West London £22,000 (stipend) and £3,995 university fees and up to £900 per year to attend conferences. 

Supervisors:

Prof Martin Orrell (Director, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham)

Dr Linda O’Raw (Programme Manager (LEND) & Honorary Assistant (Clinical) Professor in Mental Health, University of Nottingham, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham)

Professor Juanita Hoe (Professor of Dementia Care at the Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory, School of Medicine & Biosciences, University of West London). 

Professor Katie Featherstone (Professor of Sociology and Medicine, and Director of the Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory, School of Medicine & Biosciences, University of West London). 

Informal inquiries can be made to:

linda.oraw@nottingham.ac.uk or Katie.Featherstone@uwl.ac.uk 

To apply send through a cover letter and CV to:

Linda.oraw@nottingham.ac.uk 

Katie.Featherstone@uwl.ac.uk 

Juanita.hoe@uwl.ac.uk 

Application deadline:30^th Aug 2024 

Start date: 1^st October 2024

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