PhD Classic Studentship Opportunity Funded by The Heather Van Der Lely Foundation: Investigating the effectiveness of a Language Intervention for Young Offenders with Developmental Language Disorder

Contacts for informal enquiries:Dr Tom Hopkins ([email protected] )

This project is funded by the Heather Van Der Lely foundation and will form a quantitative intervention study that aims to measure the effectiveness of a language intervention for young offenders (YOs) with developmental language disorder (DLD). We anticipate that the study will be conducted either within a secure setting or within a community setting situated within a Youth offending service. Research has consistently documented high prevalence rates of DLD within the youth offender population as measured by a range of assessments that target various forms of language (inc expressive discourse, narrative, vocabulary, grammar, comprehension and pragmatics), all of which have significant implications for participation within the youth justice service (YJS), (Anderson et al, 2016; Bryan, et al, 2015). Despite the known association between language and offending behaviour (Hopkins et al, 2018; Winstanley et al 2017), there is still a dearth of evidence concerning effective intervention that targets aspects of language that could support the engagement and participation of YOs within the YJS.

The successful candidate will have a degree in a relevant field, a postgraduate qualification and crucially an enthusiasm for improving the life chances of young people with experience of the Youth Justice Service. Please note that part-time mode of study applications will be considered in relation to this specific project.

Funding Information

This 36* month (3* year) full-time fully-funded PhD Classic Studentship comprises a tax-free stipend of £15,609* per annum (paid monthly). The bursary is renewable annually for up to 36* months in total, subject to you making satisfactory progression within your PhD research.

This funding model also includes a FT Home fees studentship (£4,500* for 2021-22) for up to 3* years, subject to you making satisfactory progression within your PhD research.

This opportunity is open to UK, EU and Overseas applicants. International fee status applicants will be required to meet the difference in fee costs from their own funds.

*The bursary and fee waiver amounts and duration of funding stated above would be adjusted pro-rata if the selected applicant opted to study part-time. Please note that the part-time study option would not be available to overseas applicants.

How to Apply

To apply, please complete an online application . In place of a personal statement applicants are required to upload a research proposal explaining their ideas about the selected project topic and how it might be studied. Please ensure you state the project reference CLASSICVANDERLELY on your proposal form. 

Deadline for Applications

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 26th September 2021 for a February 2022 start.