Autism Spectrum Disorder

A 3 year programme of research will be undertaken to investigate the interaction of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The project integrates existing subject and methodological expertise within the Directorate.

Background
One of the defining features of Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is difficulties with speech and language. Individuals with ASD frequently exhibit a variety of conversation deficits. For instance, limitations in understanding and applying social norms of conversation (for example, balancing turns, vocal volume, proximity, and conversational timing); provision of inappropriate and unnecessary information in conversational contexts; difficulty with turn taking during conversation; difficulty initiating topics of shared interest; preference for conversing about topics of special interest; impaired ability to recognise the need for clarification; difficulties with adequately repairing miscommunications and difficulties with understanding figurative language (such as idioms, multiple meanings, and sarcasm).

There is a wealth of research investigating the commonalities between individuals with ASD in terms of individual aspects of language and communication when investigated in what could be defined as isolation. However, there is very little understanding about what happens during social interactions involving adults with ASD. In other words, there is a lack of research examining the social interaction of individuals with ASD in situation where there is more than just one individual (O’Reilly, Lester & Muskett, 2016).

The proposed PhD will use conversation analysis (CA) to explore the features of social interaction in individuals with ASD (e.g., O’Reilly et al.,2016). CA analyses can highlight a variety of key questions regarding how conditions, such as ASD, are typically represented, particularly regarding “how predictions about language and communication arising from individually-oriented research may not play out when examined at the level of interaction or above” (Sterponi et al. 2014).

Health Sciences Research at the University of Salford
The Centre for Health Sciences Research at the University of Salford comprises a multidisciplinary team of staff and research students drawn from the health professions and related disciplines. The research centre has world class research facilities including three biomechanics laboratories, a clinical imaging suite, a psychology lab and a rehabilitation flat. The School currently boasts over £5 million pounds of research funding and has extensive national and international links, with both academic and clinical partners. There is also a vibrant community of approximately 100 students studying either at Ph.D. level or Master’s by research.

For this studentship, you would work within the Applied Psychology research group, see: http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences/research-groups/psychology for further details. To find out more the research undertaken in Health Sciences at Salford see: http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences and to learn more about studying for a Ph.D. in health sciences at Salford, see: http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences/postgraduate-research

Eligibility
Candidates should have a first or upper second class honours in an area relevant to the proposed research. Some knowledge of Conversation Analysis would be beneficial.