Currently, over 15 million people in England live with a long-term physical or mental ... condition (LTC) and this figur
PhD Studentship Capturing experiences of long-term conditions using digital photography Closing date: 09:00 Monday 14th May Interview date: Monday 4th June 2018 Supervisory team Director of Studies: Dr Melody Carter, Institute of Health and Society, University of Worcester Supervisors: Elaine Walklet, Institute of Health and Society, University of Worcester Dr Paul Hazell, Institute of the Arts, University of Worcester
The Project Applications are invited for a fully-funded full-time PhD studentship exploring arts-based methods in health research.
Currently, over 15 million people in England live with a long-term physical or mental health condition (LTC) and this figure is expected to rise (The Kings Fund, 2018). Long-term conditions can adversely impact on the well-being and quality of life of those affected, as well as those living with, supporting and / or caring for them (McCullagh, Brigstocke, Donaldson & Kalra, 2005). Given this growing population, there is an increasing emphasis on supporting individuals to ‘live well’ with LTCs (Sternberg & Furness, 2017). Further research is needed to develop in-depth understandings of the experience of living with LTCs, how to capture and translate these experiences with others including healthcare professionals, family and / or carers, with a view to developing new ways to support people and families affected by LTCs. Photovoice is a method of data collection in which participants are asked to photograph their individual experiences, in a way that has the potential to both represent and enhance their community (Wang & Burris, 1997). Through the method, participant-generated photographs are used to form the basis of subsequent / accompanying data collection, whether verbal (e.g. a focus group / 1-1 interview), or written (e.g. textual narratives). This accompanying data is designed to explore with participants the representation of their images (Topcu, 2015). The photovoice method enables participants to express meaningful and, potentially abstract, thoughts and emotions in tangible terms, whilst also relaying to others (whether ‘insiders’ or ‘outsiders’ of the experience) the temporal nature of experience and, potentially, new insights (Berman et al., 2001). Participant-generated photographs can also be helpful in capturing everyday aspects of experience which may not be accessible via other researchergenerated methods.
The participant-led nature of the approach has been described as empowering, placing participants at the centre of the research process (Rose, 2016). Due to the control afforded to participants in how they convey their experiences, photovoice is suggested to be a particularly suitable method for health-related research (Brunsden & Goatcher, 2007) and the method has been used across a range of different LTCs including women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (Williams, Sheffield & Knibb, 2016) and carers of individuals with Huntington’s disease (Aubeeluck & Buchanan, 2006). Since its initial inception within sociology and community action, the photovoice method has evolved and new directions have been suggested, including digital photography and SmartPhone applications to reduce participant burden and attrition (Topcu, 2015; Williams, Sheffield & Knibb, 2016). To date, limited research has explored the potential of these evolving digital photovoice methods for those researching the experience of living with LTCs, or for those people living with LTCs (including family members) in sharing or shaping their experiences. This inter-disciplinary PhD will contribute to research and methodological developments in this area by critically examining the application of digital photography (e.g photovoice) as a mechanism to explore and interpret people’s experience of LTCs.
This PhD studentship represents a unique and exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of arts-based methods in applied health research. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing the detail of this proposal further and will work closely with the supervisory team to select appropriate methods of participant-generated digital photography. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will have knowledge and understanding of the relevant health care context or conditions for which this method could be usefully applied, as well as an interest in, or some experience of, the visual arts and / or photography. References Aubeeluck, A. & Buchanan, H. (2006). Capturing the Huntington’s disease spousal carer experience: a preliminary investigation using the “Photovoice”method, Dementia. 5(1), 95– 116. Berman, H., Ford-Gilboe, M., Moutrey, B. & Cekic, S. (2001). Portraits of pain and promise: a photographic study of bosnian youth. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 32(4), 21-41. Brunsden, V. & Goatcher, J. (2007). Reconfiguring photovoice for psychological research. The Irish Journal of Psychology, 28(1–2), 43–52.
Department of Health. (2012). Report. Long-term conditions compendium of Information: 3rd edition. London McCullagh, E., Brigstocke, G., Donaldson, N. & Kalra, L. (2005). Determinants of caregiving burden and quality of life in caregivers of stroke patients. Stroke, 36(10), 2181-2186. Newman, S., Steed, L. & Mulligan, K. (2004). Self-management interventions for chronic illness. The Lancet, 364, 1523-1537 Rose, G. (2016) Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to Researching with Visual Materials. 4th ed. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
Stenberg, N. & Furness, P. J. (2017). Living well with a long-term condition: service users’ perspectives of a self-management intervention. Qualitative Health Research, 27(4), 547558. The King’s Fund. (2018). Long-term conditions and multi-morbidity [online]. Available from: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/time-think-differently/trends-disease-and-disabilitylong-term-conditions-multi-morbidity
Topcu, G. (2015). Using photovoice in health psychology research: a methodological discussion. Health Psychology Update, 24(2), 29-35.
Wang, C. & Burris, M.A. (1997). Photovoice: concept, methodology, and use for participatory needs assessment. Health Education & Behavior, 24(3), 369-387.
Williams, S., Sheffield, D. & Knibb, R.C. (2016) A snapshot of the lives of women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A photovoice investigation. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(6), 1170-1182
Further reading Fraser, K. D., & al Sayah, F. (2011). Arts-based methods in health research: A systematic review of the literature. Arts & Health, 3(2), 110-145. The University of Worcester Research at the University of Worcester has grown significantly over the last 10 years. This growth is most clearly shown in the outcomes of the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014). Worcester was the most improved University in the UK based on Research Fortnight’s “Research Power” measure, reflecting a more than four-fold increase in the number of staff submitted compared to RAE 2008 and a commensurate increase in the quality of the research. As a consequence of its REF 2014 submission, Worcester’s QR income for 201516 is up by 341% from 2014-15. The University is committed to further developing its research profile in the coming period, through a strategic approach to its support for and investment in research. As part of this investment it is funding a number of full-time PhD studentships in its areas of particular research strength. Institute of Health & Society The Institute of Health & Society brings together academics and researchers from across a wide range of disciplines but with a shared focus of enhancing the health and well-being of society through its education and research. Its transformational research seeks to address some of the major issues within health professions, local services, community and beyond. By pulling together academics working across disciplines to tackle important, social, scientific and environmental challenges, this research is having an impact on people's lives and helping to expand the institute’s base of world-leading research. Areas of particular research strength are: Dementia Studies, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Mental Health and Palliative Care. The Mood Disorders Research Group is a core component of the University’s mental health research.
Research School The Research School is a focal point for all our research students. It provides: • day-to-day support for our students, both administrative and practical, through our dedicated team • a Research Student Study Space with both PCs and laptop docking station • a comprehensive Researcher Development Programme for students and their supervisors • a programme of student-led conferences and seminars Details of the studentship During the period of your studentship you will receive the following: • a tax free bursary of £14,553 for a period of 3 years • a fee-waiver for 4 years • a laptop • use of the Research Student Study Space in Research School • access to the Research Student Support Scheme to cover costs and expenses related to your research You will be expected to play an active role in the life of both the Research School and of the Institute of Health & Society. You will be given opportunities to gain experience in learning and teaching within the Institute under the guidance of your Director of Studies.
Qualifications needed Essential: Applicants should have or be able to evidence: • A First or Upper Second (2.1) Honours Degree in a relevant area of Health (e.g. Psychology, Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy), or expect to receive one by October 2018; • A sound understanding of, and interest in long-term conditions • Experience of relevant qualitative research methods and skills; • Ability to contribute to research study design; • Computer literacy; • Proficiency in oral and written English; • Ability to organise and meet deadlines; • Good interpersonal skills; • Ability to work independently and contribute to a team; • Commitment and an enthusiastic approach to completing a higher research degree; Desirable: • Education to Masters Degree level in a relevant area (e.g. Health Psychology, Clinical/ Counselling Psychology, Health and Social Care, Advanced Practice, MRes in an applied area of health). As part of its mission statement the University is committed to widening participation for its higher degrees. Although most candidates will have an undergraduate and/or a Masters degree, the University is happy to accept applications from candidates with relevant professional qualifications and work related experience The Interview The interview will provisionally be held on Monday 4th June 2018. All successful applicants will be interviewed. You will be asked to make a short presentation on a topic related to the study. You will also be asked to provide an example of your written work (e.g. a dissertation) ahead of the interview.
For further information or an informal discussion on this project, please contact Melody Carter (Director of Studies) via email at
[email protected]. Application forms are available at: http://www.worcester.ac.uk/researchstudentships Completed application forms should be sent by email to:
[email protected] or sent via post to: Research School, Jenny Lind Building, Henwick Grove, St Johns, Worcester, WR2 6AJ
