2015

Understanding rates of work disability in Northern Ireland

Co-supervisors: Dr Declan French, QUMS (declan.french@qub.ac.uk) and Prof Duncan McVicar, QUMS (D.McVicar@qub.ac.uk) or third supervisor Dr Dermot O’Reilly, Centre for Public Health (D.Oreilly@qub.ac.uk) 

Project Description:
In Northern Ireland (NI), we have the highest disability claimant rate in the UK and the reasons for this are poorly understood, although it has been variously attributed in policy circles to worse health, worse unemployment hidden as work disablement, the physical and mental health consequences of the recent 30-year civil war known locally as ‘the Troubles’, or to a claimant culture with greater understanding of how to navigate the benefit system from knowledge of entitlement, application, interview, inspection through to eventual successful receipt. Credible empirical evidence that can help us quantify the role of these and other factors, however, is currently lacking. There are several sources of high-quality data available for such research. 

This 3 year PhD studentship commences in 1 October 2015. 

Objectives:

1.  First and foremost is the forthcoming Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA) study. We propose to analyse differences in disability prevalence between NI and England using the NICOLA study and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA).  Comparisons between nations can help to identify causes of the different trends in, for example, activity limitation and disability-free life expectancy that have emerged in different countries and for which no satisfactory explanation is yet available. 
   
   
2. Second, we propose to exploit the longer-running UK Household Longitudinal Study to examine these issues, again in comparison with other parts of the UK. Use of this panel data set opens up avenues for analysis not possible with NICOLA. One such (but not the only) avenue for research is a quantitative examination of the labour market and benefit claiming impacts of disability onset and disability exit. Does disability onset impact differently in NI compared to other parts of the UK? Does disability onset impact differently pre and post the latest round of welfare reforms in Britain? What about disability exit? 
   
   
3. A third potential data source is administrative benefits data for both NI and elsewhere in the UK. Anonymised unit record data would offer opportunities to examine impacts of particular welfare reforms, for example by exploiting the delay to such reforms in NI to construct counterfactual outcomes for other parts of the UK. We will approach the relevant government departments and agencies to request access to these data in the early stages of the project. 

This exciting initiative straddles both economics and health and the successful PhD student will also be able to draw on the medical and epidemiological expertise of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Public Health at QUB as well as expertise in data linkage. It is envisaged that the student will participate fully in CoE activities alongside QUMS activities, including those involving other UK Centres of Excellence. 

Academic Requirements: 

Candidates for an MRC-funded studentship must hold qualifications in economics or quantitative social science, or equivalent to, a good honours degree from a UK academic institution. This should be a first or upper second class honours degree. Qualifications (or a combination of qualifications and experience) which demonstrate equivalent ability and attainment should also be considered. For example, a less than sufficient first degree may be enhanced to meet the requirements by the acquisition of a Masters degree to enhance the first degree, e.g. from 2(ii) to 2(i) or if the candidate has relevant experience in labour economics, health economics or health policy. 

Funding Criteria: 

This studentship covers student fees and a maintenance allowance of £13,863 (2014-15 figures).  The studentship may cover maintenance and fees for a maximum of three years. UK residents: fees plus maintenance. Other EU residents: fees only. 

Funding for international students may also be available if no UK/EU applicants are suitable. 

For further information visit: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/skills-careers/studentships/studentship-guidance/student-eligibility-requirements/
 

Contact details:

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact co-supervisors Dr Declan French, QUMS (declan.french@qub.ac.uk) and Prof Duncan McVicar, QUMS (D.McVicar@qub.ac.uk) or third supervisor Dr Dermot O’Reilly, Centre for Public Health (D.Oreilly@qub.ac.uk ) to discuss the project in more detail. 

To Apply 

The closing date for applications is June 26^th 2015.

To apply for this studentship (which covers student fees and a maintenance allowance) please complete the online postgraduate application portal.

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