Funded PhD Studentship in Sociology, Leisure and Wellbeing, Leisure cultures, meaning and identity in the wellbeing of diverse social groups.

The Sport, Health and Wellbeing research group (Institute of Environment Health and Societies; Welfare, Health and Wellbeing), at Brunel University London is offering a fully funded PhD studentship to investigate leisure cultures, meaning and identity in the wellbeing of diverse social groups. The PhD project will focus on qualitative or mixed methods of investigation drawn from the social sciences.

Based in the College of Health and Life Sciences and funded by Brunel University London, the studentship offers an annual London rate stipend of £16,777 plus Home/EU tuition fees, for a maximum of 36 months. Preferred start date is 1st January 2019.

Overview
Leisure practices are recognised nationally in the UK as contributors to wellbeing. Positive relationships have been found between wellbeing and engagement in the arts, music and singing, sport and dance, and outdoor physical activity. Notwithstanding these positive indications available evidence is limited in both scale and quality, especially for the UK. There is a dearth of high quality qualitative evidence that can inform policy and practice in the area. Researchers, policymakers, commissioners and practitioners hold varied views about wellbeing and how to enhance wellbeing and address wellbeing inequalities through leisure practices. There is a need to critically assess wellbeing theory and methods and to identify which forms of leisure contribute to which particular wellbeing improvements for different groups, under what circumstances and through what processes. The aim of this PhD will be to investigate, through qualitative methods, the development of meaning and identity in leisure cultures for wellbeing in diverse social groups.
The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Louise Mansfield and Professor Tess Kay. For informal discussions about this studentship, please contact Professor Louise Mansfield ([Email Address Removed]).

Eligibility
Candidates should have an undergraduate degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent qualification in Sociology, Sport Sciences, Leisure Studies or a related Life or Social Science discipline. A Masters qualification in a relevant area would be desirable. Experience in conducting qualitative data collection and analysis is essential. Applicants who have not been awarded a degree by a University in the UK will be expected to demonstrate English language skills to IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.0 in any section).

How to Apply
If you wish to apply, please e-mail the following to [Email Address Removed] by 3 November 2018

• An up-to-date CV.
• A single-page A4 single-spaced personal statement stating the name of PhD being applied for and setting out why you are a suitable candidate (i.e. outlining your qualifications and skills).
• One example of your academic writing (e.g. an essay, a section from an undergraduate or Masters dissertation).
• A summary of your teaching experience or the teaching activities you feel you could support.
• Names and contact details for two academic referees.
• A copy of your highest degree certificate and transcript.
• A copy of your English language qualification, where applicable.

Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview week commencing 19 November 2018. Applicants chosen for interview will be instructed to submit a formal online application via Admissions.

For further information about how to apply, please contact the College of Health and Life Sciences Postgraduate Research Student Office on [Email Address Removed].