What are the best strategies and modes of training to educate and empower midwives to assist pregnant women who are subjected to domestic violence and abuse?

The Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University working in partnership with Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (DCH) is offering a Matched-Funded PhD Studentship. To apply for this Studentship you must be a midwife registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK) and eligible to practice.

The successful candidate will spend two days per week working as a midwife at DCH and 3 days per week working on the PhD research study. The Studentship is for 4 years, which will begin in September 2017. You will be supported by an annual £14,000 stipend and an additional sum to support training and development costs during the Studentship.

The PhD research project will use a mixed methods approach to understand the experiences of women affected by domestic abuse and the midwives who care for them. Objectives are to: a) explore the experiences of women using the maternity services who are subjected to domestic abuse; b) to investigate strategies and modes of training to equip midwives to enquire about domestic abuse and, c) to develop a range of options for an education package including teaching packs, simulation and handbooks of best practice strategies.

This is an exciting opportunity and will enable an aspiring individual to combine clinical practice with a research role, working across the University and DCH. You will work with supervisors drawn from both academic and clinical institutions in a tri-partite arrangement, and will have access to a wide range of resources to support the project. Formal training in research skills, such as interviewing and focus groups, will be provided through Bournemouth University’s Centre for Qualitative Research and the Bournemouth University Clinical Research Unit, with personal development through academic supervisors. You will be part of a large body of doctoral students in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, with access to Postgraduate lectures and support sessions.
How to apply: Applications are made via our website using the Apply Online button below. If you have an enquiry about this project please contact us via the Email NOW button below, however your application will only be processed once you have submitted an application form as opposed to emailing your CV to us.

Candidates for funded PhD studentship must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 4 years.

Fully-funded studentship candidates must demonstrate outstanding academic potential with preferably a 1st class honours degree and/or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent Grade Point Average. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.
In addition to satisfying basic entry criteria, BU will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful completion.