PhD studentship at Glasgow Caledonian University

[Guest guest]

Full-time PhD studentship on Evaluating Empowerment at Glasgow Caledonian

University

Project title: Evaluating Health-Related Empowerment: Developing a theory-based

approach to monitoring and evaluation for HIV prevention in India

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship on the topic of empowerment

evaluation in the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Community Health at Glasgow

Caledonian University.

The project

Community empowerment is recognised as a core approach to health promotion

globally. However, there is a disjunction between the slow-build,

community-level effects predicted by empowerment theory, and the short-term,

performance-led, disempowering Monitoring & Evaluation (M & E) processes currently

in use. This project takes a critical perspective on M & E processes within the

context of HIV prevention in India. Drawing on theories of empowerment and

accountability, the project has three aims:

(i) to identify potential empowerment-related outcomes of community HIV

prevention,

(ii) to critically assess how existing monitoring systems shape programme

activity in desired and undesired ways, and the extent to which empowerment

outcomes are captured,

(iii) to propose evaluation processes and indicators which may better meet the

needs of both donors and communities.

Two studies are expected to be carried out. The first is a micro-analysis of the

process of monitoring and evaluation in practice.

The second comprises interviews with key stakeholders (donors, implementing

organisations and beneficiary communities) to establish feasibility and

acceptability of alternatives.

The student will join an active team of researchers within the School's

Improving Health and Well-Being Research Programme.

Extensive opportunities for support and development for postgraduate students

are provided by the Caledonian Graduate Centre.

Requirements

Applicants must have a first class or good upper second degree in a discipline

related to Public Health / Community Health / Health Promotion / Social

Sciences. A relevant Masters degree would be an advantage. Research experience

and writing skills are very important.

Applicants must have experience within and understanding of the context of

HIV/AIDS funding and interventions in India, especially processes of Monitoring

& Evaluation. The successful candidate will be required to work independently in

the field, and will need to demonstrate their ability to do so. Fieldwork will

be conducted during approximately one year in India.

The studentship

The studentship is for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory

progress. The studentship covers tuition fees at the UK/EU rate and a stipend.

For UK/EU students, the annual stipend is £13,900. For students residing outside

the EU, the full rate of international fees must be covered.

To cover the full fees, the stipend is thus reduced to £7,800 annually.

A reduced fee may be charged while the student works abroad on fieldwork. The

successful candidate is expected to undertake up to 6 hours of academic support

activity per week.

For an informal discussion, contact the Director of Studies for this project, Dr

Flora Cornish (email: flora.cornish@...).

To apply, please email a completed application form, your CV, and a cover letter

explaining your skills and interests relating to this position, to Diane Dickie

at the Graduate Centre (Diane.Dickie@...).

The closing date for applications is 3 August 2009. The selection process will

include telephone interviews and a writing task, scheduled for the week of 10

August 2009. The successful candidate will be expected to take up the position

by 1 October 2009.

Application forms are available at the following website:

http://www.gcal.ac.uk/graduatecentre/downloads/applicationform2.doc

Dr Flora Cornish

e-mail: <floracornish@...>