Understanding the lived realities of informal kinship care for grandparents

Project code: GEOG2990217

The question of how best to attend to intergenerationality and support informal kinship care provision by grandparents has emerged as a pressing issue for research and social care practice. Whilst geographical research is beginning to make important contributions in the future direction of age-related research, grandparents and their crucial role in informal kinship care remains noticeably under-researched.

Using a qualitative approach, this project will examine the lived realities of informal kinship care provision from the grandparent’s perspective, exploring the role of intergenerational connections in shaping the life transition to grandparenthood. More specifically, it will examine: the role of space, age, gender and intra-familial relations in the construction and performance of a carer identity; the role of local networks and community in informal kinship care provision; social and economic obstacles in informal kinship care provision and how these can be mitigated; and the perceived benefits and/or detrimental impacts to self in undertaking an informal kinship care provider role. Drawing on established connections with user communities, the research will use Portsmouth as a case study site.

The project aims to provide an in-depth evidence base for addressing major questions surrounding kinship care and later life transitions within social care. Working closely with key non-academic organisations, it seeks to inform local and national social care policy, support provision and social care education.

To apply, fill in the online form using the link below. As part of this application you must submit a CV and a 1000 word proposal on how you would approach the project, which includes a brief rationale and methodology (please upload as a separate document). Further details on information that you might include in this can be found here: http://www.port.ac.uk/application-fees-and-funding/applying-postgraduate/#rd. We strongly recommend that candidates contact the 1st supervisor in advance to discuss the proposed project.