Degree type
PhD
Closing date
25 September 2023
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
About the research project
The aged care workforce is under pressure to care for clients with increasingly complex health conditions and multiple comorbidities, particularly dementia, a global public health issue. Over half of Australian aged care home residents live with dementia. People living with dementia have high needs for care to support daily living and behaviour. It is vital that aged care staff can provide skilled, informed care to meet these complex needs, yet gaps have been found in staff dementia knowledge. Therefore, it is important to explore workforce participation in education aiming to enhance dementia knowledge and the impact of such education on both understanding and agency to improve care quality.
This mixed methods project will use as a case study the Wicking Centre’s online Dementia Care Program, undertaken by students across Australia who are typically working in residential, home or community care. It will collect data on the impact of studying the Diploma and Bachelor of Dementia Care on students’ dementia knowledge, attitudes, care practices and career pathways. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected via online surveys administered at multiple time points. A subgroup of participants will be interviewed to obtain in-depth qualitative data on the impact of education on care practices, aged care leadership, and career pathways. This project will look at the role education can play in translation of dementia knowledge into practice in aged care. This includes how information is used to change current care practices, to advocate for broader care improvements, and the opportunity provided by education to move into different roles and career pathways. In this way, the project will explore some of the contributing factors that will need to be addressed by the aged care sector if they are to build and reshape their workforce to be more innovative and highly skilled in care delivery.
Primary Supervisor
Meet Dr Emma LeaFunding
Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $31,500 per annum (2023 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.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
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.
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Emma Lea to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- 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.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 25 September 2023.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.
Following the 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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