University PhD Research Studentship
School of Health and Life Sciences/Institute for
Applied Health Research
Reference Number: SHLS-147s
Studentship Project Title: Rethinking Service User and Carer Engagement
strategies: Lessons from Science and Technology Studies
Applications are invited for a full-time PhD research studentship at Glasgow Caledonian
University within the School of Health & Life Sciences. The studentship is for a period of three
years, subject to satisfactory progress and provides payment of tuition fees at the UK/EU rate
plus an annual stipend of £14,800 [please note that students from outside the EU are required
to pay the difference between International and EU fees, currently this would amount to £7,100
per annum]. The successful candidate will carry out up to 6 hours of academic-related work per
week as part of their research training.
Research Discipline
Social Work and Centre for Living
Research Theme
Social Inclusion
Research Project Summary
This research explores the ‘issue-oriented’ perspective on engagement strategies for service
users and carers opened up by recent research in Science and Technology Studies (STS).It will
address the question of why issue formation for service users and carers should be appreciated
as a crucial dimension of democratic politics.
Since the 1990's talk of engaging with 'the public' and particularly service users and carers has
become fashionable in policy circles especially in Europe. This phenomenon represents the
coming together of several influential strands. First the growing significance and mobilisation of
the "service user movement" has played a major part; second increasing concerns about issues
of technological change relating to 'scientific issues' of food, public health and the environment;
and thirdly the way various crises and hostile reactions towards issues have signalled public
mistrust and scepticism of government and public policy officials. The contribution of the field
of Science and Technology studies (STS) to mainstream strategies of engagement with service
users and carers has so far been slim. This project will deploy recent research in STS to rethink
strategies of engagement with service users and carers and the broader public. Drawing on
contemporary social science in Actor Network Theory, the sociology of material culture and
object-oriented science the project will develop an innovative theoretical frame and new policy
directions for engaging with publics within a Scottish context. It is proposed to work in
partnership with Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) to develop a series of case
studies using "deep dive" ethnographic techniques and network analysis to better understand
the relationship between "engaged" service users and carers and professionals in the fields of
allied and public health and social services. The analysis will frame the ‘attachments’ that people
mobilize (and that mobilize people) in the performance of their concern with professionals in
health and social care by examining (i) the highly contextualised character of engagement for
the public, (ii) matters of controversy and concern and (iii) issue entanglements relating to the
specific nature of their involvement.
Applicants must possess a minimum of a good honours degree (2:1) in social work, sociology,
social anthropology or a related social sciences discipline. Experience in fieldwork research
and/or ethnography would be advantageous.
Supervisory Team
Professor Stephen Webb, Pearse McCusker
Staff Contact
Professor Stephen Webb stephen.webb@gcu.ac.uk or
Pearse McCusker pearse.mccusker@gcu.ac.uk
How to Apply
Applicants should complete the University Research Application Form, available from:
http://www.gcu.ac.uk/research/phdresearchopportunities/
Please send the form, stating the studentship project title and reference number, with a CV,
copies of academic qualifications, references, and any other required documentation to:
researchapplications@gcu.ac.uk
The closing date for applications is Friday 31st July 2015.
Interviews are expected to take place 12th – 14th August 2015