Ageing back into the closet: Exploring the needs and understanding the lived experiences of the ageing LGBTQIA+ population in Northern Ireland.
Deadline: 26 May, 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 24-25 the stipend amount was £19,237.
Application Status
Open
Eligibility summary
- Level of StudyPostgraduate Research
Overview
This project is funded via a Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology (CAST) studentship. The voluntary sector partners are Here NI.
Supervisors: First supervisor Dr Danielle Mackle, Second supervisor Professor Audrey Roulston
Background on project:
The aim of this project is to understand the needs and experiences of the ageing LGBTQIA+ population in Northern Ireland. Across the UK, services for older people generally are very deficient and specific needs of LGBTQIA+ people require particular attention. Limited research exists that explores the human development, well-being or lived experiences of the ageing LGBTQIA+ community and what is available has been described as small and underdeveloped (Kneale et al., 2019). Further, it is unclear whether service providers recognise the specific needs of the LGBTQIA+ community (Hughes et al., 2011). According to Westwood (206; 2017a; 2017b) social care for older people is perceived to be heteronormative, heterosexist and homo/bi and transphobic by LGBTQIA+ people. Studies have also shown that palliative and end of life care, including bereavement support providers are ill-equipped to deal with the needs of older LGBTQIA+ people (Fenge and Fannin, 2009; Almack et al., 2010). Caceres et al. (2020) highlighted that LGBTQIA+ individuals shared fears of discrimination from long-term support providers and the need for training to improve care.
Project overview:
It is clear from the literature available that there are gaps in knowledge, particularly in relation to the ageing LGBTQIA+ population in Northern Ireland, regarding their physical and mental health needs, their experiences of health and social care services and what impact these have on their overall well-being.
The proposed objectives for this research are to:
- Assess the current legal, policy, and practice initiatives for supporting the ageing LGBTQIA+ population by developing a systematic literature review.
- Explore the views and experiences of ageing among the LGBTQIA+ population using a mixed methods quantitative and qualitative approach.
- Explore the views and experiences of stakeholders regarding ageing among the LGBTQIA+ population using either a mixed methods or qualitative approach.
- Evaluate whether current service delivery and planning identifies the specific needs of older LGBTQIA+ people and assess if current support services are fit for purpose in line with the transformation of adult social care in NI.
Further Information
This studentship is being offered in collaboration with an agency partner Here NI.
Here NI is a community organisation and registered charity based in Belfast that works across the region of NI. They support lesbian and bisexual women and their families to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ women across Northern Ireland through providing information; offering peer support; facilitating training to external organisations and lobbying government and agencies on pressing LGBTQ+ issues.
Here NI are one of four LGBTQ+ sector organisations (alongside the Rainbow Project, Cara-Friend and Transgender NI) and they have strong partnership links with each organisation in the sector. Here NI run the Older Women’s Engagement Project engaging with over 100 women, and they work in collaboration with women to reduce isolation, invisibility and marginalisation.
Funding Towards
Living Costs / Stipend, Tuition Fees
Funding Body
Funding body – DfE
This project is funded via a Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology (CAST) studentship. The voluntary sector partner organisation is Here NI
Funding Amount
The Studentship offers tuition fees and annual stipend to support living costs for a maximum of three years, depending on residency. For 24-25 the stipend amount was £19,237.
Funding Body
Funding body – DfE
This project is funded via a Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology (CAST) studentship. The voluntary sector partner organisation is Here NI
Eligibility
Essential criteria:
An undergraduate degree or post-graduate qualification in the social sciences, education or health and social care (i.e. social work, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, counselling or psychotherapy) or due to graduate in summer or due to graduate in summer 2025. Minimum qualifications should be 2i at undergraduate or 60% at post-graduate level.
A working knowledge of issues that impact on LGBTQIA+ populations or demonstratable experience of working with LGBTQIA+ populations.
Enhanced Access NI checks will need to be completed prior to the successful student starting the clinical placement.
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
Any
Study Level
Postgraduate Research
Start Date
Thu, 08 May 2025 08:30:00 BST
Close Date
Mon, 26 May 2025 00:00:00 BST
Contact Us
If you have any queries about your application, please contact:
Dr Danielle Mackle d.mackle@qub.ac.uk OR
Professor Audrey Roulston a.roulston@qub.ac.uk
How to Apply
Start Date: September 2025
Application Deadline: Monday 26th May 2025
Interviews W/C 2nd June 2025.
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 Social Work, complete the required sections and submit your application by 26th May 2025. Cite reference CASTDM25 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 practice, skills and/or research experience make them the ideal candidate for this project.
Candidates must nominate two academic referees.