Trauma-informed Care for Victims and Survivors of Conflict-related Sexual Violence in Northern Ireland.
Deadline: 24 March, 2023
Level of Study
Postgraduate Research
Application Status
Closed
Eligibility summary
- Level of StudyPostgraduate Research
Overview
Four CAST PhD studentships at the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work (SSESW)
The School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work (SSESW) is delighted to advertise four PhD studentship opportunities commencing in October 2023. All four projects are funded by the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland (DfE) via the co-operative studentship awards in science and technology (CAST) scheme. Applicants can apply for more than one project but separate applications are required for each project.
The studentships offer tuition fees and an annual stipend TBC (the 22/23 rate was £17,668) to support living costs for a maximum of 3 years. 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/co-operative-awards-science-and-technology. 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 or research activities should opportunities arise.
Project 3 [Reference: CAST23SMcC]
Trauma-informed Care for Victims and Survivors of Conflict-related Sexual Violence in Northern Ireland.
Contact Dr Siobhan McAlister: s.mcalister@qub.ac.uk
Project summary
It is well understood that much violence during armed conflict remains hidden, particularly that deemed of a more ‘private nature’. While sexual violence is considered a war crime, the nature and impacts of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) during the N. Ireland conflict are not well understood. Considered trivial in comparison to civilian or military targets, and with a lack of trust in the State apparatus, crimes of a domestic and sexual nature were under-reported. Further barriers included a lack of physical evidence and medical expertise, shame and stigma commonly associated with sexual crimes and the influence of religion in disclosing sexual violence. Many victims and survivors remain hidden, and narrow conceptions of CRSV continue to invisibilise experiences in the N. Ireland context. As delayed trauma and unvoiced experiences begin to surface ‘post-conflict’, this study seeks to explore experiences of CRSV in N. Ireland with a view to informing how a reparations process may consider damages, and therapeutic services can support victims and survivors.
Research aims
- To examine the nature, extent and explanations for conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in Northern Ireland
- To identify barriers and facilitators to accessing support for CRSV in N. Ireland
- To inform the development of a regional trauma service response to CRSV
- To consider the implications for the reparation and compensation process
Proposed methods
It is anticipated that the study will entail an analysis of existing data on conflict-related sexual violence in Northern Ireland, alongside the collection of primary data from victims/survivors and those working with and for them. It will also require a scoping of current services, supports and reparations responses in relation to CRSV.
Supervisory team
Dr Siobhan McAlister, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast.
Prof. Ciaran Mulholland, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast
Dr Claire McCartan, IMPACT Research Centre, Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Further Information
Funding Towards
Living Costs / Stipend, Tuition Fees
Funding Body
Department for the Economy Northern Ireland (DfE) via the co-operative studentship awards in science and technology (CAST) scheme
Number of Awards
1
Funding Body
Department for the Economy Northern Ireland (DfE) via the co-operative studentship awards in science and technology (CAST) scheme
Eligibility
Funding Type
Fee Status
Study Level
Postgraduate Research
Start Date
Wed, 15 Feb 2023 12:03:00 GMT
Close Date
Fri, 24 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Contact Us
If you any queries about your application, please email Dr Siobhan McAlister s.mcalister@qub.ac.uk.
How to Apply
Applicants must meet the entrance criteria for the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social to be eligible to apply. These criteria can be found here.
To apply, please log onto Queen’s University Belfast Direct Application Portal, select the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, then select ‘Social Work’ Complete the required sections, and submit your application by 24th March 2023. Remember to cite the project reference code CAST23SMcC.
All applicants are 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 their chosen project. Applicants must relate to the projects’ aims and requirements in their statement.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to take part in a brief interview likely via MS Teams. It is anticipated that interviews will take place from 2nd May 2023.
The successful candidates need to be in a position to take up their studentships by 2nd October 2023. If you any queries about your application, please email Dr Siobhan McAlister s.mcalister@qub.ac.uk.