ESRC South Coast DTP Studentship - Understanding the personal networks of support relevant to marginalised older peopleâs access to an increasingly digitalised healthcare offering, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic (S2107) (SCDTP-S2107)

Understanding the personal networks of support relevant to marginalised older people’s access to an increasingly digitalised healthcare offering, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

A fully funded studentship awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP) commencing in 2021/22 Academic Year.

To meet increasing health and care needs in safe and sustainable way, there has been a growing focus on people using a range of online health resources to access healthcare during a global pandemic. However, such a shift raises concerns about how those with limited access and use of such resources can be supported, especially when access to those with digital skills may also be reduced. This PhD project will use a mixed methods approach utilising quantitative social network analysis and qualitative network interviews to better understand the personal networks of support relevant to older people with complex care needs in marginalised communities’ and their ability to adapt to an increasingly ‘digitalised’ health care landscape, in order to draw out implications for policy and practice.

Supervisory Team:

Dr Ivalyo Vassilev (I.I.Vassilev@soton.ac.uk), Dr Chris Allen (C.E.W.Allen@soton.ac.uk), Dr Euan Sadler (E.A.Sadler@soton.ac.uk). School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton.

Skills Required

The potential applicant will be supported by a supervisory team with expertise in social science applied to health research (Vassilev, Allen, Sadler) and clinical experience working with older people with complex care needs (Sadler, Allen). Applicants would need previous experience of health research in community settings, as well as skills and knowledge in quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Funding

South Coast DTP Funding provides an annual maintenance grant (tax free) of £15285 (2020/21 UKRI rate), plus payment of programme fees.  Other funding available for SCDTP funded students can be found on the SCDTP website (www.southcoastdtp.ac.uk).

Funding is provided for 3 years full-time PhD study (pro-rata for part-time students).  Applications for 1+3 funding for students completing a Master's year prior to the commencement of PhD study are also welcome (details available at www.southcoastdtp.ac.uk).

Application Procedure

The closing date and time for applications is 4.00pm on 18th January 2021.  The full application procedure, the funding application form, and more information on the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership can be found at: http://southcoastdtp.ac.uk/apply/ 

For further information about this project, please contact the lead supervisor detailed above.  For questions relating to the application procedure, or for more information about the SCDTP, please visit the SCDTP website or contact us at scdtp@soton.ac.uk 

Closing Date: 18 Jan 2021
Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded)