The role of social identity leadership in psychophysiological responses to stress

Applications are invited for the following PhD studentship at Staffordshire University starting in September 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter.

In challenge and threat theories (e.g., Jones, Meijen, McCarthy, & Sheffield, 2009) stressors either elicit a challenge state, which predicts superior performance and maintained health, or a threat state, which predicts inferior performance and decreased health. Recent work (e.g., Slater, Evans, & Turner, 2016) suggests that social support may be a vital resource driving challenge states, underpinned by social identification (i.e., feeling a sense of belonging to a group). In addition, leadership drives the social support and identification of groups and organisations (see Haslam, Reicher, & Platow, 2011), and research examining the role of leadership upon individuals’ cognitive appraisals and psychophysiological responses to stress is an important area for future researchers. The propensity for leaders to influence the challenge and threat states of their followers has far-reaching implications for sport performance and health.

The PhD studentship will use psychophysiological and objective performance and health markers to understand the relationships between social identity leadership, challenge and threat states, and performance and health, in sport.

Queries about the project can be directed to the principal supervisor, Dr Matthew Slater ([Email Address Removed])

Applicant Criteria
Applicants should have a strong Masters degree in a subject area relevant to the project area (i.e., psychology, sport and exercise psychology, or sport science).

Application Information
To apply please send a cover letter and CV to the Graduate School at [Email Address Removed] by 4th August 2017.

In your cover letter please explain why you are interested in the specific project and what you will bring to it, your suggested focus and why you are confident that you will be able to complete the PhD successfully (note - this is in place of a Research Proposal). Applications that do not state which specific project they relate to will not be considered.

Closing Date for applications: Friday 4th August 2017

For information Interviews will be held in late August/ early September 2017

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