Funded PhD Studentship in Dance, Communities and Wellbeing

The Centre for Health and Wellbeing across the Lifecourse at Brunel University London is offering a fully funded PhD studentship in partnership with New Adventures dance-theatre company to build a programme theory of wellbeing for New Adventures’ community dance strategy related to the flagship production of Matthew Bourne’s iconic Swan Lake, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025. The research will identify the conditions and mechanisms by which community dance achieves its wellbeing outcomes and will build evidence of the impact of an extensive programme of movement and dance activity in different places with diverse participants across the UK. The proposed PhD will ensure the development of an evidence-led framework for supporting the values of New Adventures in ensuring wide accessibility for people in different places to watch adventurous performances, take part in creative movement projects and become part of the New Adventures family of performers, professional practitioners and participants.

Based in the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences the PhD is jointly funded with New Adventures and the studentship offers a full-time annual London rate stipend estimated at £21,237 plus Home tuition fees, for a maximum of 36 months.

The start date will be 1 October 2024.

Overview

The PhD studentship will involve participatory community dance methodologies across multiple sites in the UK and interviews with key stakeholders in community dance including strategic decision makers, dance venue managers, dance leaders and dance professionals. This will lead to the design and delivery of workshop activities to coproduce a programme theory of wellbeing or community dance.

The successful candidate will be supervised by an expert interdisciplinary team of researchers and who will provide full training for the research.

For informal discussions contact Professor Louise Mansfield (louise.mansfield@brunel.ac.uk).

Eligibility

Candidates should have an undergraduate degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent qualification in dance, sport and exercise science or a related field. A masters qualification in a relevant area would be desirable. Experience in qualitative research in areas relating to physical activity, dance and/or community studies Is essential. Applicants who have not been awarded a degree by a university in the UK will be expected to demonstrate English language skills to IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in any section).

How to apply

If you wish to apply, please e-mail the following to chmls-pgr-officestaff@brunel.ac.uk by 19 August 2024.

An up-to-date CV.
A single-page A4 single-spaced personal statement describing why you are a suitable candidate (i.e. outlining your qualifications and skills)
One example of your academic writing (e.g. an essay, a section from a dissertation)
A summary of your teaching experience or your willingness to support teaching activities
Names and contact details for two academic referees
A copy of your highest degree certificate and transcript
A copy of your English language qualification, where applicable

Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview week commencing interview week commencing 2 September 2024. Shortlisted applicants will be instructed to submit a formal online application via Admissions.

For further information about how to apply, please contact the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences Postgraduate Research Office on chmls-pgr-officestaff@brunel.ac.uk.

Meet the Supervisor(s)

Louise Mansfield - Career History Louise Mansfield is Professor of Sport, Health and Social Sciences and Research Lead for Welfare, Health and Wellbeing in the Institute of Environment, Health and Societies. Her research focuses on the relationship between sport, physical activity and public health and wellbeing. She is interested in partnership and community approaches in sport and physical activity and issues of health, wellbeing, inequality and diversity. She has led research projects for the Department of Health, Youth Sport Trust, sportscotland, Economic and Social Research Council, Medical Research Council, Macmillan Cancer Support, Public Health England and Sport England. She sits on the editorial boards for Leisure Studies, Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health and the International Review for the Sociology of Sport and is Managing Editor of Annals of Leisure Research. Louise is known for is known for developing evidence to inform policy and practice.