Research area: Sustainable health systems
Music Therapy and Sustainable Health
As a music therapy PhD student, you will join our growing internationally known clinical research team, which includes a programme of expanding research projects in the fields of dementia, adult mental health, and child and family work. Based in The Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, housed in the state of the art Jerome Booth Music Therapy Centre, you would join professors, post- doctoral researchers and research assistants in music therapy and neuro-science. The MA Music Therapy course is based in the centre, so opportunities for teaching will occur.
The PhD student will work on the project, HOMESIDE, involving Family Care Givers and People with Dementia dyads; from Australia, UK, Germany, Poland and Norway. The University of Melbourne is the lead partner, together with 4 other universities in the remaining countries. You will work primarily for the UK arm of the study, which will test the effectiveness of a 3-month home-based music program and its capacity to reduce Behavioural and Psychological Problems for People with Dementia, using a primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes will examine relationship quality between couples, depression, resilience, competence, and quality of life.
The PhD student will specifically assist in the data collection and musical training for participants, using music therapy techniques. Couples will be making music or reading together with their carers at home. The PhD student will visit participants’ homes for the training and support, and gather data through telephone calls. The student will also develop and monitor written training manuals for the musical training of carers and their companions with dementia, and be involved in data analysis of videos and qualitative data from participants’ diaries. They will gain experience in research ethics, working with an international multi-disciplinary team, presenting at dementia/carer conferences around the world, and academic conferences, including contributing to dissemination and publications.
How to apply
To apply, you’ll need: A first class bachelor’s degree or a 2:1 bachelor’s degree and a masters at merit level or above. Equivalent awards will be considered. Qualifications must be relevant for the particular studentship you are applying for.
You can apply online via our Vice Chancellor’s PhD Studentships page (
https://www.anglia.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research/phd-studentships). Under each project description you will find a link to the application form.
Full details of the application process and the terms and conditions can also be found on the above- page
