Life of Breath: Developing relationships through an innovative project ‘community’

Doctor-patient relationships are a mainstay of social sciences research in health and healthcare. But how does that relationship work when it is not between individuals but groups, particularly when these are instigated by a research project?
Life of Breath (http://www.lifeofbreath.org) is a five-year, interdisciplinary research programme supported by a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator Award in the Medical Humanities awarded jointly to Professors Jane Macnaughton (Durham University) and Havi Carel (University of Bristol). The programme aims to achieve the fullest possible understanding of breath, breathing and breathlessness by drawing on both biomedical information and on cultural, literary, historical and phenomenological research.

As part of our commitment to engaged research, Life of Breath is planning to establish a group which will bring stakeholders with an interest in breath, breathing and breathlessness together to share information, knowledge and experience in a congenial setting. The role of the PhD student will be to record, analyse and reflect on the dynamics of the group as it evolves through time.

Applicants must have an excellent degree, preferably a Masters, in Anthropology (or related subject). The successful candidate will show evidence of designing, implementing, analysing and reporting on studies of this type and demonstrate the potential to be an excellent researcher. They will also be able to communicate clearly and effectively and to engage confidently with the world beyond academia.

Knowledge or experience relating to the study of breath and/or public engagement with research would be beneficial. Students for whom English is not a first language must have an IELTS score of at least 7.5.

Also see http://lifeofbreath.org/index.php/2015/12/16/fully-funded-life-of-breath-phd-at-durham-university/