About the Project
The School of Applied Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University is a thriving multidisciplinary research environment, hosting Teacher Education, Life Sciences, Sport, Psychology and Sociology subject areas where research students are welcome. We identify supervisory teams that ensure that our PhD students get relevant support and experience, and achieve their research aims. We particularly welcome students who have a solid academic background in relevant subject fields, evidenced by their past performance.
This research project will investigate the value of building resilience within the curriculum in higher education and the benefit of this for our student populations, staff and also future employers. Resilience can be defined as the capacity or ability to adapt to changing situations be that through stress, challenge or adversity. One of the aspects that we aim to equip our new graduates with is resilience, with the aim of generating future employees that can adapt to undertake different roles by applying what they have learned during their studies or prior experience. For the majority of students we would usually do this through the lens of challenge, often via assessment but also in other ways such as placements. The complexities of modern life lead to a combination of stress, challenge and adversity for many students and so they may be unaware that they are developing a key employability skill simply by managing their life. A key aim would be to investigate how resilience is perceived, taught and experienced by students, staff and future employers and to determine if further adaptations are required to embed resilience within the curriculum and how this might be brought about.
Applications are welcomed from well qualified candidates interested in developing high level research skills and applying them to theoretical and practical educational issues. Part-time applicants are welcome.
Academic qualifications
A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in science, education or psychology with a good fundamental knowledge of secondary and/ or higher education.
English language requirement
IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.
Essential attributes:
• Experience of fundamental research design and execution
• Competent in teamworking, evaluating data, statistics, research design
• Knowledge of a range of relevant research methodologies
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project
• Good time management
Desirable attributes:
Experience of teaching, learning and assessment, and curriculum design in secondary school or higher education contexts.
Please quote project code SAS0071 in your enquiry and application.
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
• Completed application form
• CV
• 2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (Found on the application process page)
• A personal research statement (This should include (a) a brief description of your relevant experience and skills, (b) an indication of
what you would uniquely bring to the project and (c) a statement of how this project fits with your future direction.)
• Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)
References
MacCallum, J., & Campbell Casey, S. (2017). Enhancing skills development and reflective practise in students during their programme of study. New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences, 12(12), https://doi.org/10.29311/ndtps.v0i12.2368
Harris P.J., Florida-James G., Westbury T. and Campbell Casey S.A. (2015) Assessing the link between stress and retention and the existence of barriers to support service use within HE. J. Further and Higher Education. Published online DOI:10.1080/0309877X.2015.1014316
Campbell Casey, S., Durkin P., MacCallum, J., & MAcNab A. (2015). ‘Skills Passport’ for Life Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University: Helping students to help themselves QAA International Conference on Enhancement and Innovation in Higher Education (Paper published online as part of conference proceedings)