Roehampton University, Dept of Psychology
PhD Studentship Research Project Scheme (RPS) 2017
The University of Roehampton’s Department of Psychology will fund four studentships in
2017. Six projects have been identified, each of which offers an opportunity to be part of a
research programme. Projects attracting the best four applicants will be awarded a PhD
bursary starting in October 2017. You will engage in PhD study full time and integrate into
the life of the Department of Psychology, working with academic colleagues and
undergraduate students.
Project Title
Female Genital Mutilation: Psychological impact, health and social services utilization, and
intervention.
The Bursary:
Funding is available for UK/EU and International* students at Home/EU rates for three years full-time
study. The Bursary includes tuition waiver for PhD at UK/EU fees and stipend at £16,296 (rates as at
2016/17). *Recipients of these studentships will be covered for Home/EU fees, and recipients due to
pay overseas fees will be required to pay the difference between Home/EU and overseas tuition fee
rates. Further details of International Fees can be found here:
http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/Finance/Postgraduate-Finance/
The Project:
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a worldwide problem, affecting more than 200 million
girls and women in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is
concentrated. In England and Wales, 66,000 girls and women were estimated to have
undergone FGM between April 2015 and March 2016, and more than 20,000 girls are
considered at risk of FGM (Health and Social care information Centre, 2015). Yet, little is
known about the psychological impact of FGM on FGM survivors, and the availability of
evidence-based intervention to support these individuals.
Thus, overall aim of this research is to enhance our understanding of the psychological impact
of FGM, and to conduct an intervention study for FGM survivors.
Specifically, the aim of the first study is to examine (a) the psychological impact of FGM among
FGM survivors; (b) the way in which FGM survivors perceive FGM, and if they are any cultural
differences in this perception; and to explore (c) the rates of health and social services
utilization among FGM survivors.
In the second study, the candidate will (a) identify evidence-based interventions for FGM; (b)
conduct a randomized control trial; and (c) identify treatment outcomes; (d) identify factors
that mediate and moderate treatment.
Supervisory team: Professor Cecilia A Essau & Dr Diane Bray
The candidate should have (a) experience in using both quantitative and qualitative research
method. (b) established contact with charities working with FGM survivors.
Contact
Applicants may contact Prof Cecilia Essau by email at any time and then by phone if needed, by
arrangement. E-Mail: [email protected]. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8392 3647
Learning and Teaching Activities:
In addition to the research project, the first year of the PhD studentship will include
contribution to the extended induction module for first year undergraduate students. This
will involve contributing to the delivery of the module through supporting students’
independent learning and providing tutorial and pastoral guidance. It will include undertaking
some lectures and seminars fully supported by academic colleagues and a professional
development programme in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.
The second and third year of the studentship will develop you incrementally in becoming an
academic through structured engagement with students, personal tutoring, academic
guidance, preparation, delivery of teaching and assessment and integration into the life of
the Department of Psychology.
Full time bursary students shall be available for the equivalent of 6 hours a week over 40
weeks a year. Where the student undertakes teaching or teaching-related work, the time for
preparation, marking, and related administration will be included in those six hours maximum
per week. The hours may be deployed in blocks or regularly throughout the 40 weeks
depending on duties available. Consequently, students may be expected to contribute more
than 6 hours per week at certain points in the year.
Research Environment:
The University of Roehampton is the most research-intensive modern university in the UK,
according to Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, the official national audit of
research quality. RU submitted work by more than two-thirds of our academic staff, in 13
subject areas, to the REF. This is the highest proportion of any modern university.
Overall, 66 per cent of RU research is classed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’
and a high proportion of research in every one of our ten academic departments of is judged
as of world-class quality. If you join us as a student or staff member, you’ll be working with
academic staff undertaking research at the highest level.
The Department of Psychology offers a vibrant research community and has a strong, active
and engaged postgraduate community. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the
Graduate School training programme.
Eligibility and how to apply:
In order to be eligible, applicants should hold a first class or upper second class honours
undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualification) and a Master’s degree (or
equivalent, eg substantive research assistant experience) in a related subject. International
students require a current appropriate English Language qualification IELTS), see
https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/international/entry-requirements/
The
successful
candidate should be available to start on 1st October 2017.
The application process:
To apply, please email the following to [email protected] with RPS Psychology
Studentship AND the first three words of the project title in the subject heading.
1) A copy of your CV including copies of your academic qualifications.
2) A cover letter stating the reasons you are applying for this studentship and outlining your
expertise and relevant skills. Please also address in two paragraphs maximum why you are
interested in this specific research project and which research methods you would use to
conduct the research.
3) A completed Application Form for PhD Study (RDB1) downloadable at
http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/Courses/Graduate-School/Application-Packs/.
4) Note that references are to be submitted by your referees separately to this email address,
by the deadline.
The closing date for applications is:
12 midday, Friday 5 May 2017
Interviews to be held:
from 22 May 2017
Start date for post:
1st October 2017.