Research Associate / Fellow Fixed term Liverpool, England
Job description
We are recruiting for an exceptional individual to join us as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to work with Dr. Darren Chadwick to undertake a multi-site research project, IncludeAge, situated broadly within the research area of inclusive and age-friendly places to support the virtual and geographical community inclusion under-researched and under-served older groups in society. The project is led by the University of Dundee by Professor Judith Sixsmith and Dr Mei Fang (co-leads).
The successful candidate will be based in the School of Psychology and will contribute to all aspects of the newly funded ESRC IncludeAge project, focused on the inclusion of older people with intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) and/or who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender etc. (LGBT+). They will also be expected to contribute to the vibrant research environment of the School.
Project Overview
Many older people experience exclusion from the communities they live in. The World Health Organisation has recognised this through their Age Friendly Cities and Communities programme, which encourages the development of different spaces and places to improve older peoples' inclusion in their communities and cities. Historically and politically people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and people who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans + (LGBT+) have been socially excluded from their communities throughout their lives; when people with IDD were housed in institutions and homosexuality was seen as an illness or criminalised. These life experiences put older people from these two groups at greater risk of inequality, discrimination and exclusion in community contexts. Using online technology has also been difficult for older people, particularly for people who already experience exclusion such as those with IDD and those identifying as LGBT+. So far, very little research has been done with these two groups to hear their experiences of local and online community inclusion and exclusion and to better understand how community inclusion can be strengthened in England and Scotland.
This study aims to develop knowledge of the community spaces and places (local and virtual) that people with IDD and LGBT+ use in their everyday lives. The main research questions examine how older people with IDD and LGBT+ describe and experience inclusion and exclusion and what these mean to them. We will explore how local and online community places can be improved to reduce social inequalities. Finally, the research will look at how these new ideas might be used to shape government policy and organisational practices.
The research is organised in five related work packages, jointly led by university researchers and practitioners in third sector and community organisations. All stages of the research will be guided by people with lived experience in IDD and LGBT+ in advisory groups. People with IDD and LGBT+ lived experience will work as trained co-researchers on the project. We will use a variety of verbal, visual and geographical methods to access marginalised voices in appropriate ways and enable diverse people's views to emerge.
Role Purpose
The successful candidate will work on the part of the project focusing on older people with intellectual disabilities. Candidates will undertake and support research activities including the producing literature reviews, apply for ethical approval, manage and conduct qualitative and quantitative research activities, analyse qualitative and quantitative datasets, conduct knowledge translation and mobilisation workshops and related activities, present research work in seminars and conferences, co-write for publication as well as identify future funding opportunities, co-write and submit research proposal to local, national and international funding bodies,
Candidates who are interested in research in the area of psychology, health and social sciences, environmental gerontology and/or people, place and community studies should apply as the programme of research covers broadly the area of Ageing and place whereby age friendly cities and communities, as well as workplaces, leisure outlets and the (care) home environment can be designed to fulfil the psychological, social, cultural and health needs of older people while avoiding the exclusion of other population groups. Some administrative duties and teaching activities are included in this role. Candidates who are ambitious to develop a research career particularly in health or social sciences, environmental and/or gerontology as well as people, place and community studies are encouraged to apply.
Please note all of our vacancies will be closed to applications at midnight on the advertised closing date, unless otherwise stated.
LJMU are committed to adhering to the Principles set out in the Researcher Development Concordat; in line with this all fixed-term researchers will be supported to complete 10 days professional development activities per year (pro-rata).
