Studentship available Services for People with Communication Disabilities in Majority World Countries

Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care

The Research Institute for Health and Social Change (RIHSC) is a cross-disciplinary institute that brings together internationally recognised, innovative research in Health and Social Change, embracing the disciplines of Psychology, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Speech and Language Pathology, Social Work, Social Care and Critical Social Science.

Project summary

Formalised services for people with communication disabilities are non-existent or extremely limited in many of the poorest countries of the world. This lack of services exists despite research suggesting that in some majority world countries 38-49% of people with disabilities seeking help from rehabilitation services may have a communication disability. A number of these countries, however, are beginning to recognise the need to provide services, although doing so by using speech and language therapists alone is unlikely to meet the needs of whole populations, in the foreseeable future. Research is limited in many areas that should inform service developments. These areas include: the needs, attitudes and perspectives of various members of local communities about communication disability and services; ideas about culturally, linguistically and financially appropriate services for people with communication disabilities; strategic planning; costs and benefits of services.

The proposed studentship will support a suitably experienced and motivated student to investigate and/or evaluate aspects of communication disability and/or service provision, in a majority world country. Established links in Uganda make this a preferred, but not definitive, location for the study.

The specific research question will be agreed between the successful candidate and the supervisory team, with input from collaborators in the relevant country. A presentation on the candidate’s research ideas will be required as part of the selection process.

Specific requirements and information

It is a requirement that the candidate is a qualified speech and language therapist, with experience of working with people with communication disabilities, in a majority world country.

The candidate may need to spend some time outside the UK collecting data, funding permitting, and so must be free to travel.

The candidate will need to be actively involved in applying for funding to support the data collection phase.

The candidate may have an opportunity to join an existing project in Uganda

The student will have access to training in appropriate research methods and other relevant and generic skills in the Faculty of Health Psychology and Social Care and through the University PhD student support programme.