Dr Jo Ferrie
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
This project will examine the barriers and trials experienced by adults using new technologies and equipment to maintain independence. We will examine a range of technologies for adults with MND and MS, but with a particular interest in those that impact on communication. This funding will allow a student to follow a set of a families over time, to see what barriers exist at different phases of acceptance (of technology). We would hope to gather information about identity preservation and transformation as the technology impacts.
The project builds on a number of earlier studies that have examined the barriers faced by adults with MND. Communication barriers (triggered by not having regular dialogue with medical professionals (Ferrie & Wiseman 2016) or by a psycho-social impact of symptoms (Ferrie & Watson, 2015) have been reported as significant disabling barriers for people. This study will explore how technology works to remove those barriers, and what more can be done to remove them more efficiently. It will also extend the focus beyond one patient group to consider adults with MS.
Prerequisites
Particular interest or experience researching around identity, disability studies, psychology, or sociology would be particularly of value. In addition some experience of running interviews of focus groups would be an advantage.
Please contact your intended supervisor to discuss the project and your suitability for it before submitting your application.
The project is a part of SPRINT-MND/MS, a new Scotland-wide PhD scheme for research into motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis. Projects, encompassing a wide range of topics including laboratory, clinical, and social sciences, are available at Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews Universities. This exciting initiative provides a great opportunity for budding researchers in any field related to MND or MS to join Scotland’s network of world-leading scientists and health professionals. Find more information here: http://www.edneurophd.ed.ac.uk/sprint-mndms-phd-programme
Funding Notes
Studentships are for three years and include a standard non-clinical stipend, UK/EU fees and an allowance for consumables and travel. The cohort of SPRINT students will also be offered opportunities to attend clinics and meet patients, undertake ‘taster’ placements in a different field, and participate in public engagement and researcher networking events.
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