Co-develop and evaluate implementation tools for knowledge mobilisers in the integrated health and social care system across the North East and North Cumbria (Ref: ARC20/HLS/SWECW/POTTHOFF)

This project draws on knowledge and theory-based approaches from implementation science and knowledge mobilisation, to co-develop and evaluate practical tools for embedding changes in health and social care practice. Implementation Science is rapidly generating practical and theoretical knowledge (along with associated tools and ‘instruments’) about how to more effectively implement and sustain changes in (health or social care) practice, with emphasis on ‘intervention’. Examples from Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) include the 16 item interactive toolkit (May et al 2011) and the NoMAD survey instrument (Finch et al 2018). These developments are important, but can be too academic to be useful to practitioners who are innovating treatment, care and service delivery in their fields of practice. Much innovation happens in health and social care without theory but based on experiential and practical knowledge about what works (for whom, in what circumstances etc). In this project we want to bring theory and practical knowledge together to co-develop and evaluate more effective tools.
The NENC ARC is hosted by the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. This collaborative initiative allows unparalleled access to leading applied and public health experts, supervisors who are leaders in their field, channels for dissemination of research, participation in bespoke training, and a strong network and community of graduate students and researchers. In this study, the candidate would work with partners in the regional Integrated Care System (ICS) to understand and address gaps in the potential for knowledge mobilisation and implementation (KM&I) approaches to facilitate changes in practice, also accessing wider support from members of the Science of Knowledge Implementation & Mobilisation (SKIM) theme of the ARC, and working with a supervision team that has extensive experience in leading the development of theoretical knowledge (eg NPT) and related tools. The project will combine a state-of-the-art literature review, scoping of KM&I activity across the ICS, co-development of tools to support KM&I with knowledge mobilisers and implementers, and qualitative evaluation of the impact of applying tools to implement and/or embed changes in practice.
Supervision will be provided both internally (Dr Potthoff; Prof Finch) and externally (Dr Peter van der Graaf, University of Teesside).

Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. ARC20/…) will not be considered.
Deadline for applications: 27th November 2020
Interviews: w/c 14th December 2020 (tbc)
Start Date: 1st March 2021

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.

Informal enquiries to Dr Sebastian Potthoff ([Email Address Removed])