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Full/ part-time PhD Studentship
The Open University and General Osteopathic Council are co-funding a Full-time PhD Studentship, based in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) at the Open University
Stipend: Approximately £18,622 per annum for 3 years and UK tuition fees covered
Closing date: 28 February 2024
The School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) invites applications for a 3-year full-time UK PhD studentship starting on 1st October 2024. (Applications to study part time will also be considered.)
This co-funded studentship offers a unique opportunity for an intellectually curious and driven individual to design and pursue their own funded doctoral research under the guidance of a team of supervisors from the OU and advisers from the General Osteopathic Council.
The study
The precise focus of the PhD will be developed collaboratively after recruitment. We welcome proposals which are aligned with the following topics:
- Study of trust in regulation and regulatory processes and functions (including education, standards, continuing professional development and Fitness to Practise) with patients and/ or with registrants.
- Improving the information (readability, content, accessibility, usability) presented by the GOsC for the public about the regulation of osteopaths to support public trust and engagement.
- Evaluating resources to support decision making with patients for registrants/patients/public in collaborative consultations.
Research proposals are invited to explore ‘trust’ in the General Osteopathic Council from the perspectives of registrants and the public. This could include:
- In-depth study of trust in regulation and regulatory processes and functions (including one or preferably more of our regulatory functions including education, standards, continuing professional development and Fitness to Practise with patients and or with registrants:
- e.g. the experience of the public when raising a concern and when they become a witness in a fitness to practise tribunal.
- their experience of having a fitness to practise complaint raised against them.
- Improving the information (readability, content, accessibility, usability) presented by the GOsC for the public about the regulation of osteopaths. See current independent research lead by the OU related to fitness to practise which includes data from the GOsC
- Evaluating co-production tools for registrants/patients/public in collaborative consultations. Applying a theoretical framework such as the Behaviour Change Wheel or other concepts from Implementation Science introduced into the GOsC during the course of the PhD (up to 2027). These include GOsC which has developed some resources to support shared decision-making with practitioners. New research could develop these further or introduce or other interventions to improve consultation decisions. Prior work for GOsC:
Exploring and Explaining the Dynamics of Osteopathic Regulation, Professionalism and Compliance with Standards in Practice
Connecting patients, practitioners, and regulators in supporting positive experiences and processes of shared decision making: A progress report
This studentship is co-funded by the General Osteopathic Council, therefore any personal data you share as part of the application process will be shared with them. For further information, lease consult The Open University’s Student Privacy Notice and the General Osteopathic Council’s Privaty Note
We especially welcome students who are interested in developing their social science methods (qualitative, quantitative, or a combination).
The Studentship
The studentship will be fully funded for 3 years by The Open University and GOsC. The studentship covers UK tuition fees, provides a stipend of approximately £18,622 per year and a research support and training grant (£1,000 per annum for 3 years).
Further information about studying for a research degree at the OU.
During the period of the studentship, the holder will be expected to live within reasonable travelling distance of Milton Keynes.
How to Apply
Application forms are available from MPhil and PhD Application | Research | Open University
Completed application forms and details of two referees, together with a Research Proposal of no more than 2000 words, a cover letter indicating your suitability along with supporting documents listed at the bottom of the application form and reasons for applying must be sent to WELS-Student-Enquiries@open.ac.uk
We value diversity and we recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings strength.
For further discussion of academic content please contact Prof. Louise Wallace. If you have any queries about the studentships prior to applying, please contact the WELS Postgraduate Research Team
Closing date: 12:00pm on Wednesday 28 February 2024
Interviews will take place in March/April 2024
Research enquiries
For research enquiries email:
WELS-research-admin@open.ac.uk
For student and degree enquiries email:
WELS-student-enquiries@open.ac.uk
Events
Intimacy and Later life: CABS Online Seminar Series 2024/25
Monday, October 14, 2024 - 17:30 to 18:30
Online via MS Teams
Talk 2: Dying well - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 2024/25
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 - 11:00 to 13:00
Online - Zoom or Stadium
