Cardiff School of Sport (Sociology and Philosophy Research Group),
PhD ‘Part-Time Fees Paid’ Award
Package: Part-time tuition fees (at EU/UK rate) paid for up to 5 years of PhD Registration
Start date: January, 2016
Project Title: Excessive alcohol consumption and sport
Supervisory Team:
Professor Carwyn Jones (Director of Studies), Dr David Brown, Dr Andrew Bloodworth
Summary:
Playing sport in general and being a member of a team in particular often involves consuming
alcohol. Drinking to excess on certain occasions is common in sport, even at the elite level. In order
to reduce the incidence of risky alcohol consumption and associated problems it is important to
understand the mechanisms involved. The project seeks to gain a greater understanding of why
individuals drink to excess and what factors affect drinking prevalence in sport.
The Overall Research Aim is:
The aim of the project is to identify the prevalence and frequency of alcohol consumption in sports
cultures, to map the characteristics of those most at risk and identify the key personal (identity),
psychological, social and institutional (group-level) mechanisms which drive excessive alcohol
consumption in sport.
The Associated Research Outcomes are:
Provide an accurate picture of the prevalence and frequency of alcohol consumption among the
target population.
Provide an accurate and critical account of the social mechanisms associated with high risk drinking
such as peer pressure, drinking role models, power hierarchies, institutional structures, initiation
ceremonies, celebrations, social calendars, academic or work commitments, and level of sporting
performance.
Examine the personal identity factors which characterise excessive drinking behaviour.
Identify personal and social factors which mitigate risky drinking among the population (refusal
skills).
Develop evidence based interventions aimed at governing bodies and sporting organisations to help
deal with harmful drinking.
Partner Organisations:
The College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea
Alcohol Concern Cymru, the Wales based wing of Alcohol Concern, is an independent charity
committed to reducing harm from alcohol-related problems. They aim to help people understand the
dangers of drinking too much.
The Living Room Cardiff is a community based recovery centre in Cardiff which offers peer based
support for those with alcohol and other addiction issues. In addition to offering support, it has a
strong commitment to research and education.
Host Organisation:
Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Application:
Applicants should have a good honours degree (at least a 2:1 classification) in sport or health
related psychology or sociology. An appropriate MSc in a relevant area and/or experience working
in alcohol related field is desirable. Experience in collecting and analysing quantitative data and
administering alcohol use measures like AUDIT are also desirable. The applicant should be able to
demonstrate the necessary experience or potential to successfully complete a higher degree by
research. Prior experience/understanding of sport culture and exemplary interpersonal skills are
essential.
An application forms is available from the following web pages:
http://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/research/Pages/Scholarships.aspx
The application form should include a statement detailing how your qualifications, experience and
research interests make you a suitable candidate for this Award.
Please send completed application form and CV to:
Jane Barnett
jbarnett@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Business Support Manager, Cardiff School of Sport
Informal enquiries should be directed to:
Professor Carwyn Jones crjones@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff, CF23 6XD
Closing Date: 19thh October, 2015
Interview Date: w/c 9th November, 2015