Arts for Agitation in Dementia

Perspectives on Arts-based Interventions to Address Symptoms of Agitation for People with Dementia

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

10 October 2022

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic/International

About the research project

Agitation associated with dementia is one of the challenging symptoms for carers and has a significant impact on the well-being of people with dementia. Identifying effective non-pharmacological interventions is imperative to improving quality of life. This project is focused on the evaluation of arts-based interventions for agitation and the impacts on quality of life and wellbeing for people with dementia and their carers.  Applicants may propose a participatory arts-based intervention for people with dementia that they will both conduct and evaluate, taking into account perspectives of participants and carers, OR they may research perspectives of carers and people with dementia on their experiences of arts-based programs designed for Tasmanians living with dementia.

Primary Supervisor

Meet A/Prof Anne-Marie Forbes

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or a Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

  • a living allowance stipend of $28,854 per annum (2022 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

  • Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Honours or Postgraduate Qualification in Creative Arts Therapies, Dementia Care or in a discipline of Creative Arts
  • Successful candidates will need to obtain Tasmanian Registration for Working with Vulnerable People

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Experience working with people with dementia, or employing arts in healthcare environments
  • Experience with qualitative research methods, data collection and analysis

Application process

There is a three-step application process:

  1. Select your project, and check you meet the eligibility and selection criteria;
  2. Contact the Primary Supervisor, A/Prof Anne-Marie Forbes to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. Submit an application by the closing date listed above.
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • As part of your application, you will be required to submit a covering letter, a CV including 2 x referees and your project research proposal.

Following the application closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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