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Abertay offers a range of funded PhD and Masters projects for enthusiastic and ambitious candidates who are interested in pursuing a research degree at Abertay University.
Funded PhD and Research Masters projects are available to students who hold (or expect to gain) either a First Class Honours degree, an Upper Second Class Honours degree or a Masters qualification.
The studentships described below are divided into three categories:
Open – Applications are currently open for these studentships. You can find further details on the Abertay jobs page and FindAPhD.com.
Closed – These studentships are now closed for applications, however, you may be interested in seeing the topics we have funded previously.
Project Title: When an Adult with Learning Disability Goes Missing: A mixed methods study to inform prevention and response
Project Description:
Individuals with learning disabilities can show wandering behaviours or have difficulties navigating independently, and with a reduced sense of danger they are vulnerable to a range of risks in the environment (e.g., roads/traffic, bodies of water, hiding) and victimisation. This vulnerability can result in them going missing and being reported to the police, particularly when the individual is in adulthood and living relatively independently. Importantly, police lack critical knowledge/training regarding the behaviours/actions associated with missing adults with learning disabilities and how to make operational decisions. Furthermore, families/carers can experience anxiety and uncertainty, putting in place potentially unnecessary restrictions to prevent future missing incidents, which simultaneously reduce independence and quality of life for the individual with a learning disability.
Despite the high frequency of missing episodes, elevated risks and negative outcomes, there is a critical absence of research in this area. This studentship seeks to address this by conceptualising missing as a psychological journey, enriched by social, material and emotional dimensions, to understand: what the antecedent risk and protective factors for missing episodes are; what happens while an adult with a learning disability is missing; how families/carers experience and respond to individuals going missing, and what strategies are used to prevent missing.
With a focus on minimising risk whilst maximising independence, agency and control for adults living with a learning disability, this mixed-methods research will explore these issues via analysis of routinely recorded police data; creative interviews with adults with learning disabilities (e.g., using Photo Voice; walking interviews; artwork), and interviews with families/carers.
Key outcomes will be the production and dissemination of a range of guidance materials/training for families/carers, police and policy makers to: raise awareness of issues associated with going missing; support a person-centred approach to care planning/prevention of missing incidents; and enhance police response to maximise safe return.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
How to apply:
Please include any additional documents here and highlight to team@sgsss.ac.uk
Applications close on 19/04/24 at 16:00.
A related Masters-level qualification is desirable, but not essential. Otherwise you must have, or expect to obtain, a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree in a discipline relevant to the studentship you are applying for.
We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
For candidates whose first language is not English or your undergraduate/Master’s degree was not awarded from a University from a UKVI designated English Speaking country, you are required to show evidence of one of the following qualifications:
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
To identify whether or not you need to apply for a student visa, please see here or visit the UKVI website.
All available studentships are listed on the Abertay Jobs page, as well as FindAPhD.com. The individual listings will specify the steps you need to follow. We only accept online applications submitted via the Abertay Jobs portal.
Every single studentship will have its own specific requirements. Make sure you read them carefully.
Learn more about our Postgraduate Research application process, and explore the available funding options.
Find Doctorate and Research Masters opportunities with expert supervision within a multidisciplinary Graduate School and research environment.
Learn more about submitting a research proposal, research opportunities, entry requirements, English language requirements, and applying for a visa.