PhD project in CAST DfE – Development of a relationships and sexuality measurement tool for children and young people with intellectual disability

This project will create a new tool for measuring relationships and sexuality outcomes in children and young people with intellectual disability

Background:
Intellectual disability (ID) involves significant limitations in intellectual and adaptive functioning from childhood. Children and Young People (CYP) with ID often struggle with understanding and remembering information, including topics on sexual health and relationships. They face higher risks of unsafe sexual behaviour, unplanned pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections than their peers without ID.

Aim:
Develop and test a novel tool to assess relationships and sexuality outcomes in CYP with ID.

Methodology:
A systematic scoping review will identify existing relationship and sexuality education (RSE) measurement tools for typically developing CYP. Data from the ‘RESIDE’ project, involving interviews with CYP with ID, parents, and professionals, will be re-examined to inform topic selection. The research team will create and validate questions with 250 CYP with ID from UK special schools, testing reliability through internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and test-retest reliability with 40 participants.

Expected Outcomes:
This project aims to deliver a validated tool for assessing relationships and sexuality outcomes in CYP with ID, addressing a significant gap in current measurement practices.
How to Apply:
Complete the online application by clicking on the Apply now.

Applicants for this course are required to upload a PDF COVER LETTER detailing their interests and experiences related to the chosen project. This cover letter should be no less than 600 words and no more than 900 words.

Closing date: Friday 14 March 2025

Anticipated interview date: 11 April 2025

Funding Information

The School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University Belfast is offering a CAST Department for the Economy Studentship for September 2025 entry. The studentship will cover tuition fees and stipend. The current stipend for 24/25 academic year is £19,237 but 25/26 has yet to be determined but this tends to go up each year in line with inflation. Student fees can be found at this link: Tuition Fees | Study | Queen’s University Belfast

To be eligible for consideration for a DfE Studentship (covering tuition fees and maintenance stipend), a candidate must satisfy all the eligibility criteria based on nationality, residency, and academic qualifications. The Studentship is open to UK and ROI nationals, and to EU nationals with settled status in the UK, subject to meeting the specific DfE nationality and residency criteria. Full eligibility information can be viewed at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/department-economy-postgraduate-studentship-scheme

Entrance requirements

Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Applicants are required to upload a PDF cover letter detailing their interests and experiences related to the chosen project. This cover letter should be no less than 600 words and no more than 900 words. Shortlisted applicants will be required to undertake an interview. Further information is available under ‘How to Apply’
https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/nursing-midwifery-phd.html#projects

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.