PhD Studentship - Writing and Wellbeing

About ARU: We are ranked in the world’s top 350 institutions in the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and we are a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. Our research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world-leading. In 2021, we were awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for our world-leading music therapy work.
Background: Writing in all forms, from private ‘journalling’ to creative workshops, is increasingly recognised as a powerful and cost-effective means of promoting wellbeing. Whether under the guidance of a trained counsellor as a means of processing trauma, or through the sociable participation in writing communities, writing can aid mental health and increase wellbeing. This project will focus on an understudied aspect of writing and wellbeing: writing activity that is not explicitly designed to be therapeutic but has a positive effect on health and wellbeing, such as within a workshop that results in countering loneliness, fostering a sense of identity or community, reviving memories, or improving confidence.
The successful applicant will work with a supervisory team who have expertise in auto/biographical writing and narrative theory (Dr Tory Young); creative writing and digital publishing studies (Dr Laura Dietz); arts therapy for ageing and wellbeing in care homes (Dr Ming-Hung Hsu); supported by the team at the National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall, Norwich. The VC Scholar will work with community members, including those who have participated in earlier projects, to develop a new series of writing workshops.
There is scope for the successful applicant to develop their own ideas and focus, as well as employ their preferred methodology of qualitative, quantitative, and action research methods.
Funding Notes and Eligibility: Applications are open to Home fee status students only. This successful applicant will receive a Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship award which covers Home tuition fees and a UKRI equivalent minimum annual stipend for three years. The award is subject to the successful candidate meeting the studentship Terms and Conditions which can be found on our website alongside further information on the project: https://aru.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research/vc-phd-scholarships
Applicants should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum upper second class undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline. A Master’s degree in a relevant subject is desirable. Applicants must be prepared to study on a full-time basis, attending at our Cambridge campus.
Application Deadline: 19th March 2023
How to apply: Applications for a Vice Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship are made through the application portal on our website: https://aru.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research/vc-phd-scholarships
We will review all applications after the submission deadline of 19th March. We will contact shortlisted applicants in the week commencing 3rd April. Interviews will be held between 17th April to 2nd May.
If you have any queries relating to the application process or the terms and conditions of the Scholarships, please email phdscholarships@aru.ac.uk.
Documentation required You will need the following documents available electronically to upload them to the application portal (we can accept files in pdf, jpeg or Word format): 1) Certificates and transcripts from your Bachelor and Master’s degrees, (if applicable) 2) Your personal statement explaining your suitability for the project 3) Passport and visa, or evidence of EU Settlement Scheme (if applicable) 4) Curriculum Vitae
Please note the application form will ask you to upload a research proposal. You should upload your personal statement in this section, as proposals are not required for this scholarship.
Contact us: General enquiries: phdscholarships@aru.ac.uk
If you would like to discuss this research project, please contact tory.young@aru.ac.uk
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff to share this commitment.
We value diversity at ARU and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Job Category Teaching, Research & Scholarship Employment Type Full time Location Cambridge Faculty/Prof Service Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Ref No 2149 Closing Date 19/03/2023