Everyday Arts Engagement in Dementia: A conversation analytic study

The arts (and arts-based interventions) are increasingly being used to foster interpersonal engagement and, by extension, improve psychosocial wellbeing for both people with dementia and their families. Since many artistic and creative endeavours are inherently social practices (group singing, theatre going, gallery visits etc.); these, alongside understanding interpersonal communication in familial and wider kinship networks, will be the focus of this PhD. A qualitative design will be used, incorporating a core data-set of video-recordings of everyday engagement with the arts. These will be analysed using Conversation Analysis (CA).

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%.

In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Graduate School, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology/Social Sciences or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in the following will be an advantage: qualitative research methods, dementia.

All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/.  Under programme name, select ‘Social Sciences’.