Nigel Groome Studentship: Navigating Setbacks and Challenges: Insights from Autobiographical Memories

3 Years, full-time funded PhD Studentship

Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in the UK

Bursary p.a.: Bursary equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend plus fees (current 2024/25 bursary rate is £19,237)

Fees and Bench fees: will be met by the University for the 3 years of the funded Studentship.

Closing date: Friday 17 January 2025 - Midday

Start Date: September 2025

Director of Studies: Dr Clare Rathbone

Supervisors: Dr Sunae Kim
                       Professor Vincent Connelly

Requirements:

Applicants should have a first or upper second-class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification. EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.

The studentship requires you to undertake the equivalent of up to 6 hrs teaching per week on average, during semester time, and to include preparation and marking (but no more than 20 hrs per week), and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.

Project Description:

We all face challenges, setbacks, and failures at various points in life. How we navigate these challenges and create a coherent, healthy self-concept will be important for overall well-being. This research programme aims to explore how individuals develop their ideas of themselves as adaptive and resilient when facing negative or challenging life experiences. By drawing on autobiographical memories (Wilson & Ross, 2003), the research will investigate the emotional and cognitive self-regulation processes and strategies (see Chang et al., 2018; Cox & McAdams, 2014; Levine et al., 2009) that influence adaptive and resilient self-concepts, which in turn guide future decisions and attitudes toward life challenges. 

The project will utilise experimental designs and questionnaires, aiming to include a broad age range of adults including older adults. It could also systematically explore individual differences. Finally, there may be opportunities to examine these research questions within specific populations such as military veterans who face unique challenges during and after their service, including combat-related trauma, injuries, separation from family, and adapting to civilian life.

Complete applications should include a proposed project proposal (max 1000 words) including background, aims and an outline methodology, applicants can liaise with Dr Kim and Dr Rathbone when developing their proposal.

Entry requirements:

This project is advertised on a competitive basis alongside other current Nigel Groome PhD studentship advertisements for Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development projects. Part time MPhil/PhD study will be exceptionally considered.

Application process: Please contact hls-applications@brookes.ac.uk for details of how to apply.

Contact hls-applications@brookes.ac.uk with any queries.

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