Project Title: Interdisciplinary Immersive Education Project

Context

Professional practice often takes place in complex environments that require sophisticated approaches. However, the extent to which professional training has kept up with the ever-changing demands of practice is unclear. New technologies and approaches to simulation may help educators introduce a sense of realism within teaching that is difficult to replicate in a classroom setting – this in turn may help equip the workforce to learn how to manage more complex workplace scenarios and environment.

Project Outline 

This studentship will explore the concept of Interdisciplinary Immersive Education with a view to developing a new approach to professional education within QUB, that uses the latest digital technologies. Led by SSESW staff, this project will seek to include colleagues from other professional courses at QUB such as, midwifery/nursing, law and teacher training to develop and test the benefits of immersive technology when teaching complex and advanced interdisciplinary skills (e.g. challenging aggressive behaviour, engaging with the law (court based skills), assessing the home environment and making safe-guarding judgements etc.). 

Why study with us? 

This project is based within the Immersive Technologies and Digital Mental Health Network at Queen’s University Belfast and represents a multi-disciplinary collaboration across social science, psychology, healthcare, computer science and film and broadcasting. Throughout this project you will be mentored and supervised by experienced staff within the network. The successful candidate will be required to support ongoing activities within the network, including representation at events and conferences as well as managing and updating various social media accounts. 

What funding is included? 

We will cover tuition fees for applicants based within the UK and partial tuition fee costs for those applying from elsewhere up the value of £4,407. We are also pleased to offer an annual stipend of £15,285 to support living costs while undertaking your doctoral research. While successful candidates are expected to undertake full time working hours on the project, there may be scope to further supplement their income through teaching activities should opportunities arise.  

Eligibility  

Given the complexity and ambitious nature of this project, we are seeking an outstanding applicant who can not only demonstrate knowledge and skills but also strong passion, commitment and work ethic.  

Applicants will normally be expected to have completed a master’s level degree in relevant discipline, such as social sciences, health sciences, psychology, film and broadcasting or computer science (this list is not exhaustive). Exceptionally, applications may be considered from outstanding honours graduates who can demonstrate relevant knowledge and skills. All applicants must be able to demonstrate a capability to undertake research training through to completion to the standard necessary to qualify for a PhD. This will be firstly assessed during shortlisting and then interview.  

Please ensure that you meet the entrance criteria for the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social, found here.

Selection Process 

To apply, please log onto Queen’s University Belfast Direct Application Portal, complete the required sections and submit your application by Friday 16^th of April 2021. Cite reference LAMPB21 in your application if you are applying for this studentship. Applicants are also required to submit a 500-600 word statement describing how their current skills and experiences make them the ideal candidate for this project. We encourage candidates to draw particular attention to any experiences practical skills they have in relation to educational and learning technologies, video capture and editing, virtual reality and/or creative arts-based interventions. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to take part in a brief interview (via MS Teams). We expect this position to be very competitive and therefore reserve the right to enhance shortlisting criteria if necessary. The successful candidate needs to be in a position to take up this opportunity by September 2021. If you any queries about your application, please email Dr Paul Best at p.best@qub.ac.uk 

Dr Paul Best

School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work

Media

If you any queries about your application, please email Dr Paul Best.