Sociology (MSc by Research)

Recent years have seen a concern over the perceived sexualisation of childhood together with an explosion of interest in and concern about the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and young people (CSA/CSE). Whilst sexual abuse is most likely to be committed in the home and by someone known to the victim, much of this concern has focussed on organised sexual abuse and in particular the sexual exploitation of young girls outside the home. This has led to the construction of an ‘ideal’ or ‘deserving’ victim whereby some victims are blamed for the abuse perpetrated against them together with the identification of particular groups of (Asian/Muslim) men as particularly dangerous that risks failing to recognise other perpetrators of CSA/CSE. This is at a time when professionals working with children and young people are increasingly encouraged to be vigilante and identify/report cases of suspected CSA/CSE. This research could explore any aspect of childhood sexual abuse including: how professionals respond to CSA/CSE; how professionals understand and perceive victims of CSA/CSE; why some (groups) are more likely to be seen to be responsible for their abuse; how the media might influence understandings of CSA/CSE; how victims might experience CSA/CSE; how might we (social workers, teachers, youth workers, police etc) best support victims of CSA/CSE. A narrative approach to this research would also be welcome.

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

• Professor Jeff Hearn

Recent developments in child and youth participation have given rise to a broadening of focus beyond more conventional ‘political’ participation and decision making contexts to embrace participation in everyday life contexts and new forms of youth participation such as activism, alternative social movements and self organised activities. These in turn ask questions about citizenship education and how young people develop agency as active citizens. We therefore would welcome applications for studies that contribute to developing discourses in any of the following areas interest: · New forms of political participation, alternative styles and spaces of youth participation, urban counter cultures and participation in new social movements, · youth activism (in particular what motivates young people), youth campaigning, young people’s involvement in protest movements · intergenerational issues and adult-child/youth relationships in participation · the role of social media, · self-organising and autonomy in everyday contexts, · participatory methodologies and children and young people as researchers - children and young people’s involvement in local planning and decision making

In addition to this, in recent years, there has been a greater emphasis on the involvement of children and young people, who come to the attention of statutory social work services, in planning for their care and protection. We therefore would welcome applications for studies that contribute to developing discourses in any of the following areas of interest: • looked after children and young people and their involvement in decision making about their care • decision making for children and young people involved in statutory child protection processes • children and young people -led approaches to managing risk

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

• Dr Grainne Mcmahon
• Professor Barry Percy-smith

Following allegations made against Jimmy Savile and other cases of historic abuse we have seen a rise in the number of victims coming forward and identifying themselves as victims of historic child sexual abuse. This research could explore this issue from a number of perspectives – including adult victims, those who are accused; those who respond to allegations (e.g the police); and media coverage of historic abuse. It could focus on particular groups (of victims, perpetrators) or explore differences and it could focus on particular areas such as sexual abuse in the home or in sports settings. A narrative approach to this research would also be welcome.

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

• Professor Jeff Hearn

This research is linked to concerns over the well being of children and young people (cyp) particularly around sex, sexuality and sexual and/or gender identity. Increasing numbers of young people in the UK are diagnosed as having mental health issues, where the transition from childhood to adulthood is increasingly seen as fraught with 'dangers', and where young people’s access to (formal) support and information around sexuality and relationships is limited, particularly in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) identities. This research could look at any aspect of growing up LGBT+ including: explore how children and young people and/or those who work with them understand the needs of young people who identity as LGBT+; explore the lived experiences of children and young people who self identify as LGBT+ or who are questioning or unsure about their sexual and/or gender identity. A narrative approach to this research would also be welcome.

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

• Dr Katie Wood

This proposal explores how to develop an often neglected but important aspect of person-centred care. Members of the Spirituality Special Interest Group at the University (now reconstituted as the Spirituality and Compassion Special interest Group, SCSIG and led by myself) have supported a number of PhD studies to date as well as conducted a number of research studies. The concept of Spiritually Competent Practice (SCP; Wattis, Curran and Rogers, 2017) was developed from one of these pieces of work (Jones, 2017). It understands spirituality as part of the human search for meaning and distinguishes it from religion, seeing spiritual care as an important part of holistic person-centred care. My own PhD explored how concepts of Availability and Vulnerability, based on the Celtic Christian tradition, could be ‘secularised’ in Advanced Nursing Practice in Primary Care (Rogers 2016). Earlier work in the group had looked at health care educators’ attitudes to and understanding of spirituality, using brief rating scales developed for the purpose (Prentis et al., 2014). Working in partnership with the local NHS Mental Health Trust we have explored and extended these studies into Mental Health staff (Rogers et al 2019/2020), looking at attitudes to spirituality in mental health care and exploring the utility of SCP and A&V in this context. A study looking at mental health patients’ views has been interrupted by the pandemic but is in progress. The next phase of our research is to extend similar work into the fields of primary care and secondary care. This proposal is for a study exploring attitudes of primary care clinicians (including General Practitioners and Advanced Practitioners) to spirituality and the utility of SCP and A&V in developing understanding in primary care. It would use a mixed methods approach and details of the project would be developed to incorporate interests of a prospective PhD candidate as well as the SCSIG group’s interest in the wider applicability of SCP and A&V as educational and clinical tools in this area.

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

• Dr Melanie Rogers
• Dr Michael Snowden

Death, dying, and bereavement are significant human experiences that require social exploration. Just now, as the world continues to grapple with a myriad of challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, issues related to human mortality are resonating with the public and policymakers alike, with a renewed sense of importance.

To contribute to knowledge about lived experiences of death, dying and loss we welcome applications to conduct original research about different aspects of these experiences from social, cultural, and relational perspectives.

Indicative areas of study could include:
Personal relationships and intimacy at the end of life, inequalities, social identity, materiality and material culture, palliative and end of life care and particular experiences of loss such miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death.

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

• Dr Julie Ellis

Social enterprise plays an important role in society. Governments in different countries across the world have interesting and innovative strategies regarding social enterprise. The aim of this proposed project is to examine how social enterprises work in two countries from the developing world.

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

• Dr Jamie Halsall
• Dr Michael Snowden

This research could explore young people's human rights and anti-racism activism, young people's anti-racism organising and social movements, and young people's human rights activism in the UK's hostile environment.

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

• Dr Grainne Mcmahon

This research could explore young women's feminist and women's rights activism, narratives and biographies of feminist activism, young women's organising and social movements, and feminist activism and organising online.

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

• Dr Grainne Mcmahon

This research could explore: young people’s political engagement; community engagement and citizenship; youth political and social activism; and formal, informal and non-formal styles of participation.

Please see our scholarships page at https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/scholarships to find out about funding or studentship options available

Please see details via the following web page https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/

• Dr Grainne Mcmahon
• Dr Kate Smith