Improving airport access for neurodiverse individuals using Applied Behaviour Analysis.
Deadline: 31 March, 2025
Level of Study
Postgraduate Research
Funding Amount
The Studentship offers tuition fees and annual stipend to support living costs for a maximum of three years, depending on residency. For 23-24 the stipend amount was £18,622 and tuition fees of £4,712
Application Status
Open
Eligibility summary
- Level of StudyPostgraduate Research
Overview
First supervisor Dr Nichola Booth
Second supervisor Dr Paul Best
Assistant PhD Supervisor: Dr Stephen Gallagher, Ulster University, PEAT
The objective of this project is to improve access to an airport for neurodiverse individuals using behaviour analytic principles while improving Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practices.
Travelling by air can, and should be, accessible to all which is a sentiment enshrined in EU regulation (No 1107/2006) which stipulates that “…disabled persons…should have opportunities for air travel comparable to those of other citizens” (Europa.eu, 2024 p.1). However, for many travellers air travel can result in heightened challenges particularly for individuals with disabilities. While travel constitutes a social right (O’Byrne, 2001), it is noteworthy that not all travel environments, airports included, are systematically configured to ensure universal access. This project aims to redress the absence of this social right.
The objectives of the project are to:
- Identify the barriers that are preventing access to a transport hub, namely an airport, for individuals with disabilities with a focus on those with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, and down syndrome.
- To develop a replicable, improved protocol of an existing model used for increasing airport access for the above-named clinical populations for other regional airports.
- To analyse the direct impact that the new model for increasing access has had on recipients of the support.
- To improve Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practices within a working airport.
Autism in the air is a long-standing initiative between QUB and Belfast City Airport which provides access for children and young people with an autism diagnosis (and associated disabilities) to have access to a working airport prior to a holiday. It is the only one of its kind within the United Kingdom and Europe. This research will further develop this initiative so that a replicable protocol can be developed that can be implemented with fidelity in other regional airports. Essential Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) practices will also be identified that could be adopted by airports.
The research will be carried out in collaboration between two research centres in QUB: the Centre for Behaviour Analysis (CBA) and the Centre for Technological Innovation in Mental Health and Education (TIME).
Further Information
There will be two partner collaborators involved with this research. Parents Education as Autism Therapists (PEAT), is a charitable organisation that provides behaviour analytic support and training to parents and professionals across Northern Ireland.
The student will have supervision from an academic behaviour analyst within PEAT as well as access to a cohort of individuals who could be direct recipients of autism in the air. They will receive ongoing training in understanding behaviour analysis, evidence-based practices and support in implementing practical supports. This will enable the student to have a solid base for developing a successful model for practice.
The other partner is Belfast City Airport. The student will have a three month placement at the airport that will involve shadowing staff across all job roles, in-house training for airport safety and access, and mentoring support. This placement will ensure that the student understands the complexities involved in a working airport allowing them to identify the steps that are required to fulfil the goals of the research.
*Access NI checks will need to be carried out for the successful student due to the nature of the placements.
Funding Towards
Living Costs / Stipend, Tuition Fees
Funding Body
Dfe
This project is funded via a Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology (CAST) studentship. The voluntary sector partner organisation is Parents Education as Autism Therapists (PEAT).
Funding Amount
The Studentship offers tuition fees and annual stipend to support living costs for a maximum of three years, depending on residency. For 23-24 the stipend amount was £18,622 and tuition fees of £4,712
Number of Awards
1
Funding Body
Dfe
This project is funded via a Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology (CAST) studentship. The voluntary sector partner organisation is Parents Education as Autism Therapists (PEAT).
Eligibility
For further details about eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria) please click on the DfE Research Eligibility Guidance Notes: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/department-economy-studentships.
Funding Type
Help with new course
Fee Status
Study Level
Postgraduate Research
Start Date
Thu, 30 Jan 2025 09:55:00 GMT
Close Date
Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 BST
Contact Us
If you have any queries about your application, please contact Dr Nichola Booth (N.Booth@qub.ac.uk)
How to Apply
Start Date: September 2025
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Interviews TBC
Application process:
To apply, please log onto Queen’s University Belfast Direct Application Portal, select the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, selecting a PhD in Education, complete the required sections and submit your application by March 31 2025. Cite reference CASTNB25 in the funding section of your application.
Applications received after this date cannot be considered.
All applicants are also required to submit a 500-word statement (please upload this document to ‘proposal’ in place of a standard research proposal) describing how their current skills and experiences make them the ideal candidate for this project.
Candidates must nominate two academic referees.
If you any queries about your application, please email Dr Nichola Booth – n.booth@qub.ac.uk