How do we move around our world? Perception and action in typically developing individuals and/or individuals with Developmental Coordination Disorder

This is a 3 year Full Time PhD project

Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants only ---- (who must be permanently resident in UK/EU)

Closing date: Tuesday 22 November 2016 (12 midnight UK time)

Interview date: Thursday 8 December 2016

Start Date: 23rd January 2017

Value p.a.: Bursary of £14296 ( pro rata as January 2017 start) for Academic Year 2016/17 & fees


Requirements:

Applicants should be of the highest quality and capable of submitting a PhD thesis within 3 years. Applicants should have a first class or upper second class (minimum 2.1) honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or an acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology, movement/sport science, kinesiology or other relevant discipline


EU Applicants additional requirement for English language
A valid IELTS Academic test certificate minimum score level 6 in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking with overall minimum score 7.0 issued since 23rd April 2015 by an approved test centre.


https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491093/2016-01-11_-Approved_Secure_English_Language_Tests_and_Test_Centres_-_Website.pdf

Exceptionally we are prepared to consider alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.


Project

The ability to successfully navigate the environment is vital in everyday life but this actually requires very complex computations. Whether we can squeeze through a gap or step over a puddle depends on us knowing how big we are and what we are capable of. If we are carrying something or are pregnant we have to adjust our perception of body size and change our movements accordingly. In recent work we have focused on judgements and movement adaptations regarding fitting through a gap (Wilmut and Barnett, 2010; 2011) and how our perception of what we might do can be different from what we actually do when faced with a narrow gap (Wilmut, Du and Barnett, 2015, watch Kate Wilmut talking about this study here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SABXFrAJtF8).

Part of our work in this area has focused on individuals with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD, sometimes referred to as Dyspraxia in the UK). Individuals with DCD are characterised by poor motor coordination which cannot be accounted for by a physical, neurological or intellectual impairment. Although many studies have focused on the identification of specific deficits in DCD, there remains a poor understanding of the exact nature of the perceptual-motor control and coordination difficulties. Anecdotal evidence would tell us that these individuals have a tendency to bump into objects but there is not a good explanation for this. We have been exploring the idea that these individuals have a poor mismatch between how they perceive the environment, their body size and their movement capabilities.

A PhD in this area could directly follow on from the work we have recently completed, for example making a comparison between static and dynamic visual information for judgements and/or considering a mediating factor such as confidence. A project such as this could either be carried out in children/adults with DCD or, if preferred, could focus on a typically developing population. Due to the nature of this research motion capture equipment will be used to track and measure movement. In this research project, the successful applicant will be expected to design, run and analyse experimental data exploring perceptual-motor control and coordination in one of these areas.

Any successful applicant will be required to undertake up to 6 hours undergraduate teaching per week during semesters without further remuneration. This may include supporting the teaching of statistics. You will also be expected to participate in a course to develop your teaching skills.

For further information contact Dr Kate Wilmut: e-mail address [Email Address Removed]


Application Information


Please complete the Application Form, which you can download from
http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc

Additionally you should enclose a CV and a Research Proposal (max 2000 words) plus scanned copy of degree certificates and transcripts and two academic references, plus if appropriate a scanned copy of a valid IELTS test score certificate.

Please refer to guidance notes that accompany the downloadable application form.

Applications only accepted by email to the following address: [Email Address Removed]


The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS search once they enrol. In view of checking procedures they will be required to exhibit a current passport plus other original documentation to enable a search to be undertaken. Costs involved in undertaking the DBS check will be covered by the University. Find more information on DBS
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about.

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST NOT SUBMIT ANY QUERIES, CV OR APPLICATION VIA FINDAPHD