PhD Studentship - Government policy on sexual orientation and gender identity

Job Category

Teaching, Research & Scholarship

Location

Cambridge

Faculty/Prof Service

Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine & Social Care

Ref No

2155

Closing Date

19/03/2023

About ARU:

We are ranked in the world's top 350 institutions in the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and we are a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. Our research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK's Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world-leading. In 2021, we were awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for our world-leading music therapy work.

Main title: Government policy on sexual orientation and gender identity and its impact on the mental health of LGBTQ+ people

Background:

Over many years, numerous governments have legislated regarding sexual orientation and gender identity without clear understanding as to why people are in these minority groups, and with an aim to protect the majority from them. Assumptions include that sexual orientation and gender identity are ‘lifestyle choices', that people can be ‘converted' from the majority to the minority, that minority is somehow threatening to the majority and that the existence of these minority groups somehow threatens ‘family values' or the British (or American or Australian etc) way of life. These assumptions are straightforward to challenge but persist in more socially conservative political parties and movements. Because these assumptions are not challenged within a political party or governing alliance, policy development based on them can result in harmful policies.

Published evidence reviewing negative and restrictive policies globally link these policies to worsening mental health and increased mortality. Alternatively, there have been some positive policies enacted, such as same sex marriage which has been shown to improve mental health and wellbeing in LGBTQ+ people, on average.

This PhD project will investigate links between local/regional/central government policies regarding sexual orientation and/or gender identity and mental health within the LGBTQ+ communities.

Funding Notes and Eligibility :

Applications are open to Home fee status students only. This successful applicant will receive a Vice Chancellor's Scholarship award which covers Home tuition fees and a UKRI equivalent minimum annual stipend for three years. The award is subject to the successful candidate meeting the studentship Terms and Conditions which can be found on our website alongside further information on the Project: https: // aru.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research/vc-phd- scholarships

Applicants should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum upper second class undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline. A Master's degree in a relevant subject is desirable. Applicants must be prepared to study on a full-time basis, attending at our Cambridge campus.

Application Deadline : 19th March 2023

How to apply:

Applications for a Vice Chancellor's PhD Scholarship are made through the application portal on our website: https: // aru.ac.uk/research/postgraduate- research/vc-phd-scholarships

We will review all applications after the submission deadline of 19th March. We will contact shortlisted applicants in the week commencing 3rd April. Interviews will be held between 17th April to 2nd May.

If you have any queries relating to the application process or the terms and conditions of the Scholarships, please email [email protected]

Documentation required

You will need the following documents available electronically to upload them to the application portal (we can accept files in pdf, jpeg or Word format):

1) Certificates and transcripts from your Bachelor and Master's degrees, (if applicable)

2) Your personal statement explaining your suitability for the project

3) Passport and visa, or evidence of EU Settlement Scheme (if applicable)

4) Curriculum Vitae

Please note the application form will ask you to upload a research proposal. You should upload your personal statement in this section, as proposals are not required for this scholarship.

Contact us :

General enquiries: [email protected]

If you would like to discuss this research project, please contact [email protected]

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff to share this commitment.

We value diversity at ARU and welcome applications from all sections of the community.