PhD Studentship: Staying Safe: Empowering Informed Choices Regarding Online and Offline Sexual Behaviour in Young Adults

Lead Supervisor name: Dr Peter J Hills

The Department of Psychology is offering a 3-year fully-funded PhD with associated teaching responsibilities. The studentship is for a project investigating online and offline sexualised behaviour in young adults.

Project background:

Banter is often used to enhance social relationships. However, it can often include sexist themes and misogynistic language and can relate to underlying beliefs and attitudes. In the proposed project, the PhD student will investigate the nature of online banter and peoples’ attitudes toward it, potentially exploring whether the platform (e.g., Twitter, Facebook), setting (formal or informal), and anonymity affects peoples’ attitudes toward such banter. The proposed PhD will therefore explore the link between online misogynistic banter and offline acquaintance rape in order to develop methods for reducing such unwanted behaviour. The project will use a variety of research methods (including surveys, qualitative methods, and experimentation) to address these issues.

Candidates should have an undergraduate (at least a 2.1) or Master’s degree in psychology or a related discipline having completed a research project.

What does the funded studentship include?

Funded candidates will receive a maintenance grant of £14,000 per annum (unless otherwise specified), to cover their living expenses and have their fees waived for 36 months. In addition, research costs, including field work and conference attendance, will be met.

Funded Studentships are open to both UK/EU and International students unless otherwise specified.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates for funded PhD studentship must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 3 years.

All candidates must satisfy the University’s minimum doctoral entry criteria for studentships of an honours degree at Upper Second Class (2.1) and/or an appropriate Master’s degree. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (or equivalent) is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.

In addition to satisfying basic entry criteria, BU will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful and timely completion.

Closing date: The first call for applications will close on 21 March 2016.

For further information on how to apply click the ‘Apply’ button below or email pgradmissions@bournemouth.ac.uk