PhD Studentship in Psychology, University of Birmingham

A qualitative study of British South Asian Carers’ views of their Children with Developmental Disabilities

A collaborative studentship provided by Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust and the School of Psychology, University of Birmingham.

Funding is available for a three-year PhD studentship from October 2008, for a largely qualitative research project which will involve close collaboration between the School of Psychology at the University of Birmingham and the Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust. The proposed research will seek to develop an understanding of the views of South Asian parents about their children, and about their developmental disabilities. A detailed, culturally-sensitive, and systematic account of these views will allow us to understand their role in shaping the care of children. The project will allow us to better understand parents access to, and interactions with, service systems. As a result, we will be able to help South Asian carers to use services more effectively, and for services to adapt more effectively to the needs of this client group.

Research supervision will be provided by Dr John Rose and Dr Michael Larkin in the Clinical Psychology team. Dr Rose has a track record of conducting and supervising research in the field of developmental disability; Dr Larkin has a track record on conducting and supervising qualitative and phenomenological research in the area of culture and psychology. The successful candidate will join a 5* RAE-rated Psychology department with excellent facilities, established research groups, and substantial external funding. The School supports around 250 postgraduate students in professional training and research degrees.

The studentship requires an Honours degree in Psychology (2:1 or above); Enthusiasm for research, and commitment to producing and disseminating excellent qualitative research; Commitment to the wellbeing of people with learning disability, and their families; Good communication and organisational skills. Prior knowledge of qualitative or phenomenological psychology would be a considerable advantage, as would fluency in at least one South Asian language.

The studentship will be at the basic UK research council rate (expected GBP 12,600 per annum) to provide support over the three-year period, and will cover tuition fees. The student may also be eligible to contribute to our paid Teaching Assistant programme.

Application
For more information, and informal discussion about the studentship, please contact Dr. John Rose (j.l.rose@bham.ac.uk) or Dr Michael Larkin (m.larkin@bham.ac.uk). To obtain the Schools Research Studies brochure and an application form, please contact Ms. Parveen Chahal (p.k.chahal@bham.ac.uk).

The closing date for applications is 30th June, 2008.