The Architecture of Palliative Care (Advert Reference: RDF18/ABE/HOLGATE)

The teaching staff members of the architecture programme suite have become progressively more engaged linking architecture to a wider appreciation of health and well-being (Dalton, Jones, Lockley, McIntyre, Parnell). This concurrently reflects student self-selected interests, who repeatedly choose themes of healthcare (including palliative care) as the focus of their Masters’ dissertations (Crinion, Graham, Baines, Liddell, Corbett).

Northumbria Architecture has established an excellent relationship with a renowned healthcare architectural practice, JDDK, who have developed an unparalleled expertise in hospice design over the last 30 years. Consequently, they are recognised as being national, if not world-leading, experts in the design of end-of-life facilities (Worpole, 2009). The proposed principle supervisor has already worked with both JDDK and Dr Julie Trueman (FADS) on data collection, analysis, and dissemination, capitalising upon our excellent relationship with this company. Our initial pilot research projects have already resulted in a number of outputs (see below), as well as attracting the interest of JDDK’s national client base, including organisations such as the Marie Curie charity and numerous local, national and international health care trusts, responding to an acknowledge gap in the knowledge of healthcare design; ‘The study of (hospices) forms an important illustration of the relevance of the research about the spatial qualities that add to the wholesome character of the built environment. Further insight into this topic could have a severe impact on future design for healthcare’ (Annemans, et al., 2012)

Architecture and the Built Environment research projects tend not to attract the funding associated with other disciplines in higher education; by focussing on potential collaborations associated with health care (including the variety of funding available through sources other than the main research councils) the aspiration is to synthesize high quality design processes, post-occupancy evaluation, and practical social engagement towards developing a new cross-institutional research group.

Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see:
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDF18/…) will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: 28 January 2018

Start Date: 1 October 2018

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers.