An innovative digital intervention to promote resilience within informal networks of survivors of sexual violence: A feasibility study

Coventry University (CU) is inviting applications from suitably-qualified graduates for a fully-funded PhD studentship to undertake a doctoral study that will develop and test a digital intervention for informal networks of survivors of sexual violence and abuse to improve their resilience and coping skills whilst safely supporting victims.

This doctoral project will develop the first user-led digital intervention supporting friends and families of adult and child survivors of sexual violence (SV). One in 5 women and 1 in 25 men in the UK report lifetime victimisation, equivalent to an estimated 3.4 million women and 631,000 men. Five out of 6 people do not report SV to the police, instead, first disclosing within informal networks. Health and economic impacts for friends and family carrying this burden are substantial.

This PhD will co-create a digital intervention that equips users to improve their resilience and coping skills whilst safely supporting victims. Qualitative data collected through interviews with SV survivors, friends/families, and a survey of SV professionals will inform intervention development. An established online platform will host the intervention prototype, and the final phase will test its feasibility (e.g. uptake/completion rates/impact on wellbeing). The long-term impact of the intervention is disruption to costly pathways to poor health for victims and their families/networks. This PhD will be supervised by Dr Grace Carter together with experienced academics from the Centre for Intelligent Healthcare, and the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol.

Training and Development
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills.

All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.

Entry criteria for applicants to PhD
• A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average. PLUS the potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years
• A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)

Additional requirements:
Experience of qualitative research along with quantitative skills, as evidenced through previous degree disciplines/subjects (e.g. Psychology, Criminology, Social Sciences, Medical Sciences), and work experience (e.g., working with individuals who have experienced trauma; working in mental health or public health settings; experience of mixed-methods research, feasibility studies, RCTs or developing/testing digital interventions).

Eligibility:
UK/EU/International graduates with the required entry requirements

Duration:
Full-time – between three and three and a half years fixed term

For further details see: https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/making-an-application/

How to apply
To find out more about the project please contact Dr Grace Carter- [Email Address Removed]

To apply on line please visit: https://pgrplus.coventry.ac.uk/

All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.