www.swansea.ac.uk Postgraduate Prospectus 2012

AGEING STUDIESPopulation ageing is an issue that will dominate thetwenty-first century. It is unprecedented, pervasive,profound and enduring. Changes in the populationstructure will touch all aspects of life, from familycomposition and living arrangements, to social support,economic activity, and social security, as well as theconsumption of goods and leisure activity.The trend toward an ageing population requires a concertedapplication of a multidisciplinary scientific endeavour throughcollaboration between scientists in a variety of disciplines,(e.g. physical science; engineering; IT; social, human andhealth sciences).The Centre for Innovative Ageing (CIA) welcomes proposalsfor postgraduate research projects that complement staffresearch interests.Research degrees in Ageing Studies will:• train you to provide creative solutions that effectively meet theneeds and expectations of older people• equip you with the skills necessary for a career working witholder people, and managing and delivering services for anolder population• prepare you for a career in academic research and teaching.Postgraduates in Ageing Studies will meet employer needs:• workforce awareness of the changing demands of an ageingpopulation is essential• demographic change will impact on employment practiceand provide the potential for economic growth and newcompany starts• graduates with skills and knowledge relating to this customerand client demographic will be in high demand.Students working full-time towards a research degree have theopportunity to attend taught courses on research methods andstatistics, and are encouraged to disseminate their own researchfindings at national and international conferences.Research StrengthsResearch undertaken by members of theCentre for Innovative Ageing falls into fourbroad themes:• civic and social engagement andparticipation of older people including:intergenerational relationships; socialand support networks; civicparticipation; and the disruption of thesetypes of engagement by personal (e.g.migration, psychological resources) andstructural (e.g. multiple disadvantage,discrimination, national or local policies,transport) factors• environments of ageing including:natural and built physical space;functional design; community; housing;climate change and extremeemergencies caused by natural andhuman-made events• care provision for older peopleincluding: social care; health care;intermediate care; residential care; andpalliative care• chronic conditions, falls and preventionin old age including: falls; stroke;cancer; dementia; depression andhealth promotion.The Centre also has rich, qualitative andquantitative data archives includingdatasets containing information on:• 12,000 people aged 60-90 living insix European countries• 20 years of longitudinal data• 600 older South Asians• 1000 rural elders in England andWalesThe Centre for Innovative Ageing (CIA)The CIA is at the forefront ofinterdisciplinary work on ageing andprovides the infrastructure focus andleadership for ageing research andscholarship across the University’sColleges. It houses a unique cluster ofresearchers and lecturers who contributeto postgraduate training. The team’sconnections to policy-makers areunparalleled in other parts of the UK.The Centre hosts the Older People andAgeing Research and DevelopmentNetwork, and the Wales Stroke ResearchInterest Group. Its strong national andinternational links, and its links with theWales Dementias and NeurodegenerativeDiseases Research Network, set the Centreapart from others in the UK, and places itat the cutting edge of research intoageing.The CIA aims to ensure that its researchactivity is translated into economic growthin commerce and industry, as well asproviding practical solutions for an ageingpopulation in both the private and publicsector. It provides an exceptional trainingground for researchers and postgraduates,attracting some of the finest students fromaround the world.2021RESEARCH DEGREES – AGEING STUDIESResearch opportunitiesMPhil/PhDRAE2008 60% of research ratedworld-leading (4*) or internationallyexcellent (3*)ProfessorsV BurholtJ E PhillipsAcademic and research staff 11Postgraduates 10Entry requirementsMPhil: normally an Honours degree (2.1 or above) in a discipline related to thechosen specialty, or a relevant, approved postgraduate qualification.PhD: Applicants would normally have, or be studying for, a Master’s degree.Evidence of a commitment to a career in a research setting is also desirable.English Language requirement:IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or Swansea Universityrecognised equivalent.Scholarships and BursariesA range of postgraduate scholarships and bursaries is available.For details, please visit:www.swansea.ac.uk/scholarships/PostgraduateThe CIA attracts substantial research funding from the ESRC, theEuropean Union, the Welsh Assembly Government, the Big LotteryFund, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, National Institute for ClinicalExcellence in Health and Social Care, and the Department forInternational Development. PhD research studentships are frequentlyadvertised for posts associated with particular projects (in particularESRC funded projects).Further informationWebsite: www.swansea.ac.uk/humanandhealthsciencesContact the Admissions Tutor:Maria Davis, Postgraduate AdministratorEmail: A.M.Davis@swansea.ac.ukTel: +44 (0)1792 295309Visit the University: see page 182 for detailsApplications can be made online atwww.swansea.ac.uk/applyonline – see pages 184 –185 for further informationFor details of Master’s courses available in AgeingStudies, please see page 78.RESEARCH DEGREES – AGEING STUDIES