How do beliefs, attitudes and expectations about ageing influence lifestyle choices for cognitive health maintenance in later life?

The University of Exeter’s College of Life and Environmental Sciences and the University of Exeter Medical School, in partnership with the Centre of Research Excellence in Promoting Cognitive Health at the Australian National University, Canberra http://cognitivehealth.anu.edu.au/, are inviting applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship to commence in September 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover UK/EU tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £14,553 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student will be based in the Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health https://psychology.exeter.ac.uk/reach/ at the St Luke’s Campus in Exeter.

Academic Supervisors:

Professor Linda Clare, University of Exeter
Professor Clive Ballard, University of Exeter
Professor Kaarin Anstey, Australian National University
Dr Sarang Kim, Australian National University

Project Description:

Improving lifestyle behaviours such as cognitive, social and physical activity in midlife and early later life can help maintain cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia. This project will examine what role beliefs about ageing play in the relationship between individual differences in lifestyle choices and cognitive function in later life, and how this might influence intervention approaches. A mixed methodology approach may include both primary data collection (using experimental, questionnaire and interview methods) and secondary analyses of existing data sets. The findings will identify key messages about lifestyle change that can help with maintaining mental fitness in later life. The new understandings that emerge will be applied in the future development of in-person and online interventions to promote cognitive health, particularly in ‘at-risk’ groups, providing a potential pathway for subsequent postdoctoral work.

This award provides annual funding to cover UK/EU tuition fees and a tax-free stipend. For students who pay UK/EU tuition fees the award will cover the tuition fees in full, plus at least £14,553 per year tax-free stipend. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee and no stipend.

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit for 3.5 years of full-time study to commence in September 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter.