CAP PhD Studentships
The Changing Ageing Partnership (CAP) has awarded seven PhD studentships at Queens University Belfast.
The three year studentships are focused on a range of research issues relevant to older people including: economic rights, housing, older people in Zambia and Northern Ireland and the fear of crime and anti social behaviour and its impact on older people. The students come from the Schools of Law; Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, Politics, International Studies and Philosophy and Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering. In keeping with our interdisciplinary perspective, many of the candidates receive joint supervision from the Institute of Governance and their originating discipline. Reflecting the CAP ethos of partnership, the PhD students are based together within the Institute of Governance and are encouraged to work closely with one another, supporting and informing each others research and to be actively involved in the wider CAP network.
Details of the CAP PhD studies can be found below.
Current CAP PhD Studentships
Sarah Machniewski
Brendan Sturgeon
Nathan Emmerich
Caoimhe McCutcheon
Lynn Johnston
Sarah Machniewski holds a degree in Sociology from Queens University Belfast. She is also the QUB CAP Team Liaison Officer
Institute of Governance
Queen’s University Belfast
Room: G018
E-mail: m1658602@qub.ac.uk
Supervisors: Professor Paddy Hillyard; Dr Una Lynch
Completion date: September 2009
Title: A hidden problem: Social harms affecting the elderly in Northern Ireland
This research aims at highlighting significant forms of harm that may affect the elderly in Northern Ireland. These harms can be physical (falls, accidents, injuries), financial (income poverty, fuel poverty), and psychological (fear of crime). Figures have shown that these types of harm are occurring at a much higher rate than crime, and are often much more detrimental. While looking at the figures on mortality, injuries and crime, this research will also incorporate the role of the media in our persistent focus on the battle with crime, and how the media have come to construct our one dimensional view of what dangers exist to the elderly. The media highlight criminal acts against the elderly, but as a result may be creating a psychological harm (fear of crime). Also by maintaining focus on crime emphasis will remain on crime reduction strategies, increased spending in the police service, and policies of social control, resources which could be relocated to fulfilling the governments responsibility towards older people through improved public polices and health care.
Brendan Sturgeon holds a BA in History (Major) and Politics (QUB 2004) and an MA in Politics (QUB 2005). He is also the QUB CAP Seminar Co-ordinatior.
Institute of Governance
Queen's University Belfast
Room: G018
E-mail: S1638201@qub.ac.uk
Supervisors: Professor Richard English and Professor Sally Wheeler
Completion date: September 2009
Title: Anti-social activity in contemporary UK: a political analysis of political and community responses
The aim of this study is to inspect the levels of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in British society today; and examine the responses of our politicians, police force and community groups. The Home Office defines ASB as any ‘activity that impacts on other people in a negative way’, over 66,000 cases are reported to the authorities on a daily basis and 16.7% of the UK population sees ASB as a major problem. The project will focus on the consequences of ASB, looking specifically at the elderly community; examining how they are affected by anti-social crime and what procedures are in place to assist them if they have been victims.
Nathan Emmerich holds a BA in Philosophy and the History and Philosphy of Science and a MA in Healthcare Ethics from the University of Leeds and an M.Res. from the Queen's University Belfast. He is the CAP Web Manager for QUB.
Institute of Governance
Queen’s University Belfast
Room: G025
E-mail: nemmerich01@qub.ac.uk
Supervisors: Professor Lindsay Prior; Dr Matt Wood.
Completion date: September 2010
Title: Gerontology and Healthcare Ethics.
This research concerns the health and social care of the older person and focuses on the interactions of the various professionals involved with the care delivered by the modern Health and Social Care Trusts. I intend to examine the borders between ‘medical’ and ‘social’ care and the conception and praxis of healthcare. Utilising a Bourdieuan framework I intend to interrogate the adequacy of the predominant theory of medical ethical practise (the four principles) in the gerontological context. Additionally I intend to examine the construction of the gerontological body from within the discourse of professional carers and its ‘ethical’ implications.
Caoimhe McCutcheon holds a degree in Sociology and Politics (Joint Honours) from Queen’s University Belfast, and a MSc in Leadership for Sustainable Development, also from Queen’s.
School of Sociology, Queen’s University Belfast
E-mail: cmccutcheon03@qub.ac.uk
Supervisors: Dr Sally Shortall and Dr Una Lynch
Completion date: January 2011
Title: Ageing in Modern Societies: Problem or Opportunity?
Both the Developing and Developed Worlds are facing emerging issues relating to their respective elderly populations. The demographics of each of these socio-economic areas have been vastly changed, in different ways and for different reasons, and, for the most part, this has been presented as a problem for society. This research will use a participatory development theoretical framework to examine whether older people are a ‘burden’ or potentially a rich source of social capital.
This research will involve looking at the differences in demographics, cultures and customs in my two chosen areas (Northern Ireland and Zambia). Research will be conducted into areas in which older people are already making tangible contributions to society, and use this information to make recommendations for suitable social development projects which could be rolled out in similar areas.
Lynn Johnston has experience in community education and development in NI. Her BA (Hons) degree from Leeds Polytechnic was in Home Economics 20 years ago and she has continually studied since then, her most recent achievement being a Diploma in the Management of Lifelong Learning from Queens.
Institute of Child Care Research
School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work
Email: ljohnston34@qub.ac.uk
Supervisors: Dr Kathryn Higgins, Dr Laura DunneCompletion date: March 2010
Title: Intergenerational Practice in Belfast.
Older people and younger people are both groups who have experienced negative stereotyping and prejudice within our society. The fact that we will have appointed commissioners to represent the interests of these groups indicates the growth of a rights based, legislative approach to social inclusion. This research aims to explore issues that create difference and/or tension between generations in community and neighbourhood settings. Recognising the recent growth in the popularity of discrete intergenerational practice, Lynn is planning to define the nature of the practice within a variety of community environments in Belfast and to work towards identifying the realistic outcomes of such practice. It is anticipated that this research will help shape social policy in relation to intergenerational practice in Northern Ireland.