Apply now for a 2020 Scientia PhD Scholarship at the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity
Posted 7 June 2019
Apply now for a 2020 Scientia PhD Scholarship at the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity
The UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship Scheme offers scholars of exceptional quality the opportunity to work on research projects aligned with the UNSW 2025 strategy. These prestigious scholarships offer unique benefits, individualised support and guaranteed funding to reach your personal development goals.
The deadline for applicants to contact supervisors is 11:59pm on 12 July 2019.
CPHCE currently has the following scholarships available under this scheme:
1. Improving the physical health of people with severe mental illness
CPHCE and SPRC are working with mental health consumers to understand their experience of preventive healthcare and improve their access and physical-health outcomes. The PhD student will use participatory methods to understand the barriers and define their rights and preferences. It will then co-design and evaluate world-first interventions that improve the capacity of consumers, carers and health care providers to meet their preventive care needs in primary healthcare and the community.
The PhD student will need sufficient experience and expertise in the topic to be able to conduct inclusive research with people with severe mental illness and with health service providers. They will be able to demonstrate relevant experience and knowledge relating to the intersection of mental health and physical health, a critical approach to promoting positive health outcomes and sensitivity to the needs of consumers and their families/carers. Preference will be for candidates who are familiar with mixed-method research and co-production methods. Desirable qualities will be direct or indirect lived experience of mental illness, experience in primary health care and mental health service settings and familiarity with key frameworks that guide contemporary practice. Candidates will be able to demonstrate their ability to express themselves well in writing and presentations, and work collaboratively with consumers, families/carers, health care providers and other researchers.
The supervisory team:
Mark Harris, Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity
Catherine Spooner, Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity
Karen Fisher, Social Policy Research Centre
Apply now: https://www.scientia.unsw.edu.au/scientia-phd-scholarships
2. Adapting stabilised networks to overcome health inequities in primary health care
This interdisciplinary project will examine how primary health care may learn from social science theory of stabilised networks. This theory enables investigation of how apparently neutral systems such as healthcare prescribe standards; and the exclusion of those who do not conform to these standards i.e. do not speak English, have low health literacy and cannot afford care. This project will examine how we might adapt healthcare to improve access for all. The research project may be of interest to individuals with a health or social science background and with an interest in social justice, health literacy and working with culturally and linguistically diverse groups.
The PhD candidate will need experience in either social science or health care research, a commitment to social justice and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
The supervisory team:
A/Professor Jane Lloyd, Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity and Sydney Local Health District
Professor Mark Harris, Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity
A/Professor kylie valentine, Social Policy Research Centre.
Apply now: https://www.scientia.unsw.edu.au/scientia-phd-scholarships
3.Physical and mental effects of urban form on human wellbeing
CPHCE and Built Environment are working together to examine the physical and mental effects of urban form on human wellbeing. Specifically the PhD candidate will explore how the benefits of green space may be attenuated by the impacts of climate change and urban densification – such as crowding, heatwaves and pollution. The project is expected to include an exploration of existing geospatial and health data on 260k people in NSW, application of smart technologies, qualitative and observational research to derive a deeper understanding of the supportive and unsupportive nature of urban space. Analysis of these rich datasets will enable development of an evidence-based model to explain how ambient physical and experiential attributes of place interact, thereby informing urban planning and design.
The ideal PhD candidate will need to have a passion for making cities of the future healthier and more accessible and seeking to develop a research career focused on the interface between the built environment, health and equity. The candidate will also need to have a demonstrated track record in research or practice in a built environment discipline (e.g. urban planning, landscape architecture), and/or population health or equity. Skills in qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods research and have skills in or the ability to gain skills in complex spatial analysis highly desirable.
The supervisory team:
Paul Osmond, Built Environment
Margo Barr, Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity
Susan Thompson, Built Environment
Apply now: https://www.scientia.unsw.edu.au/scientia-phd-scholarships
