PhD Studentship: Leisure, Holidays and the Lived Experience of Dementia

About the project

Dementia is a global health challenge and the UK has been leading the world on research to understand how to help people live well with dementia. This project examines a hitherto neglected area of research to examine the leisure behaviour of people with dementia.  Existing research suggests a time-space compression occurs as people with dementia see their condition progressively worsen and yet the evidence to understand this is limited. The project will join an existing research team working on this topic based at Hertfordshire Business School and the University of Exeter Business School, building on their research studies to develop an appropriate framework to approach this topic of tourism and leisure. It is expected that secondary and primary data collected from people with dementia and their carers will be used to illustrate how people with dementia may substitute tourist travel with local leisure. Knowledge and experience of using NVIVO and SPSS are highly desirable, but training can be provided for a suitable candidate. It is also an expectation that the candidate will co-author a number of publications with the research team as the research progresses in high quality scholarly journals creating an important career path for the successful candidate.  There is also potential to work with several key organisations who are leading the field of research.  Travel and fieldwork costs will be covered including transcription costs, as will conference attendance and staff development activities for the appointee.

Applicant requirements

Applicants should have at least an upper second-class honours degree in a relevant discipline within social science or health science. A master’s degree in a relevant field will be advantageous.

The studentship is open to UK and international applicants

How to apply

Applicants are required to provide the following documents:

• A completed application form, available for download at: http://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/31105/uh-application-form.pdf .;
• A 2000 words research proposal;
• Two academic references;
• Copies of qualification certificates and transcripts. If these are not in English, they must be translated into English;
• Certification of English language competence (minimum IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language.

Please send completed applications to the Doctoral College at [email protected] , accessible via the 'Apply' button, using the following format in the email subject line: “Business School_studentship application_Page3”.

For enquiries concerning this studentship and the Business School please contact Professor Stephen Page ([email protected] ).  

Key dates

Closing date for applications: 28 March 2024

Interview dates: week beginning 8 April 2024.

Studentship start date: by mutual negotiation in 2024.